Falling fertility rates are set to spark a transformational demographic shift over the next 25 years, with major implications for the global economy, according to a new study.
That would leave 49 countries — primarily in low-income regions of sub-Saharan Africa and Asia — responsible for the majority of new births.
"Future trends in fertility rates and livebirths will propagate shifts in global population dynamics, driving changes to international relations and a geopolitical environment, and highlighting new challenges in migration and global aid networks," the report's authors wrote in their conclusion.
That shifting demographic landscape will have "profound" social, economic, environmental and geopolitical impacts, the report's authors said.
"As the workforce declines, the total size of the economy will tend to decline even if output per worker stays the same.
Persons:
Asia —, Dr, Christopher Murray
Organizations:
Institute for Health Metrics, CNBC
Locations:
Saharan Africa, Asia, Chad, Niger, Tonga, Samoa, Asia's Tajikistan