Elon Musk highlights alarming projections of drastic population decline in India and China, calling it humanity’s greatest threat.
January 8, 2025: Tech billionaire Elon Musk has once again raised concerns about global population decline, calling it one of humanity’s biggest challenges. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Musk amplified a post shared by Tesla Owners Silicon Valley, which included a graph predicting major demographic shifts in key nations by 2100.
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The graph projected stark population declines in countries like India and China, with both expected to experience significant demographic downturns by the end of the century. Musk simply responded with a resounding “Yes”, agreeing with the original post that described population collapse as humanity’s greatest threat.
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— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 7, 2025
Key Projections:
- India and China, which had populations around 1.5 billion in 2018, are projected to face sharp declines.
- By 2100, India’s population could shrink to 1.1 billion, a drop of nearly 400 million people.
- China’s population is expected to plummet even more drastically, reducing to 731.9 million, a staggering loss of 731 million people.
- Nigeria is predicted to become the second most populous country by the end of the century, with a projected population of 790.1 million.
Underlying Causes:
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Experts attribute the population decline to a combination of factors:
- Falling fertility rates (below the replacement threshold of 2.1 children per woman).
- Ageing populations.
- Increased migration trends.
For instance, in England and Wales, fertility rates have fallen to a historic low of 1.44 children per woman. Globally, fertility rates have dropped from an average of 5.3 children per woman in 1963 to less than half that figure today.
Contrasting Trends:
While some countries face steep declines, others, like the United States, Canada, and Australia, are expected to maintain relative population stability through positive net migration. Meanwhile, African nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia are projected to see significant population growth, surpassing some current growth nations like Indonesia and Pakistan by 2100.
Musk’s Warning:
Elon Musk has consistently expressed his concern over population collapse, warning that it could pose a severe threat to humanity’s future. In previous statements, he has emphasized the importance of addressing fertility rates and creating sustainable population growth policies.
Conclusion:
The report, originally conducted by the University of Washington, underscores the urgent need for global policy changes and societal shifts to address declining birth rates and their long-term consequences. As the world grapples with these demographic challenges, Musk’s warning serves as a critical reminder of the looming population crisis.
Tags:
Elon Musk Population Warning, Global Population Decline, India Population Drop, China Population Crisis, Demographic Projections 2100, Population Collapse, Global Fertility Rates, Elon Musk X Post, India-China Population Trends, Population Sustainability.
