Low Birth Rate shows impact: Japan's Population Begins to Decline

This drop is going accelarate at an increasing rate. Europe isn't far behind.

Figures released by the government, based on preliminary data up to October, show that the number of deaths exceeded births in 2005 for the first time since officials started keeping records in 1899.

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said 10,000 more Japanese died than were born.

Three years ago, a Japanese population institute estimated that the country's population would peak at 127.7 million in 2006 and then begin a steady decline from 2007, dropping to 100 million by 2050. . . .