By Zainab Shafiq 
Elon Musk reignited the discussion on the most critical global issue: population decline. The tech mogul recently amplified a graph on X (formerly Twitter) showing projections of population changes for different countries by 2100. The discussion that ensued was about the multi-causes and potential consequences of a shrinking world population.
The world has been predicted to have a population downturn for decades. The issue is the speed at which this decline will occur and which areas will be hit the hardest. Some of the reasons for this trend include low birth rates, emigration, and aging populations.
Another crucial indicator is the falling fertility rates, which measure the average number of children a woman would have during her lifetime. This has fallen below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman in most countries to keep the population stabilized.
For instance, in 2023, England and Wales had a record low of 1.44 children per woman. The Daily Express has described this as part of a global trend: fertility rates plummeting from an average of 5.3 children per woman in 1963 to less than half that figure today.
A 2020 study published by the University of Washington presented a thought-provoking scenario. The studies forecast that India and China, having almost the same population of 1.5 billion in 2018, would have extremely disparate trends.
Elon Musk predicts population decline on a large scale by 2100
The population of India is estimated to decline to 1.1 billion in 2100, while China’s could decrease to an unbelievable 731.9 million. Such a massive turn of the scale may lead to Nigeria becoming the second most populous nation in the world by the end of the century, as its population may reach an unbelievable 790.1 million.
This would mean that the decline is going to be much faster than initially anticipated, especially in China and India.
Even though below the replacement rate, the United States is expected to remain the fourth-largest nation in 2100. Positive net migration will stabilize the US population, along with Canada and Australia.
On the contrary, currently, high-growth nations like Indonesia and Pakistan can experience relatively declining populations in the year 2100. They shall be surpassed both by the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as by Ethiopia toward the turn of this century.
To that effect, Elon Musk points out how and why he views a potential coming population collapse because of an extensive global issue -.
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