Australia and the World Past and Present

In the late 2000s, Japan began the process of depopulation. It was the first Asian country to embark on this process.

South Korea has also embarked on a sustained population decline. The country experienced its first natural population decrease in 2020 (more deaths than births). Since then, the population has declined every year.

China also seems to be in population decline, though the shift is more recent. China’s population fell for the first time in 2022 (the first decline since 1961). The population then fell again in 2023, 2024, and 2025, confirming the trend.

In the mid-2000s, the phenomenon also began in Italy and Portugal.

These nations have become known as “depopulation vanguard countries.”

In Japan, how will depopulation impact on forests, farmland and peri-urban settings?

Fewer farmers and forestry management workers means less weed management.

Rice paddies can dry out.

Non-native pest species not managed can get out of hand.

Schools in remote locations fall into disuse.

Population decrease often has negative effects on economies. There are difficulties for younger generations supporting older generations.

But less people may see some positive benefits for the environment – fewer cars on the road and less pressure to cut down trees for timber. Fields used for agriculture can be expected to be reclaimed by wildlife and wild plant species.

The environment will have more opportunities to regenerate, renew, and regrow.

Depopulation often brings a host of economic and social dilemmas, but the environment may be the big winner.