https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=qn9DDsxfpCA&t

 By 2050, the Earth is forecast to house about 10 billion people, raising concerns over lack of
natural resources, increased temperatures and _______________________.
 On average, each country is witnessing the population growth rate of 1,25% a year. But some
have the _______________________: a population is rapidly declining.
 Fewer people results in smaller workforce, slowing economic development and a mass of
_______________________.
 The worst cases of population decrease could be found in Eastern Europe. One is Moldova,
which loses one percent of its population per year and has death rate similar to
_________________________ in Africa.
 This is due to the fall of Soviet Union and subsequent _______________________, many were
left financially insecure, hence hesistant to have children.
 Nowadays, its biggest threats are emigration and a large number of old residents. It also
suffered from _______________________ when skilled citizens leave to other countries for
better opportunities.
 The governments have launched campaigns to combat population decline such as
_______________________ for having more children and opportunities to lure expats.
 But the most worrying country is Japan. Cost of living is high and people of
_______________________ are working long hours, leaving little time to raise a child.
 The government of Japan even funds _______________________, dating services and single
parties in the hope that young people will marry and have babies.
 In Japan as well as Eastern Europe, officials are preparing for an _______________________.
The bottom line is fewer people means less spending, working and paying taxes.

KEY
1. Food shortages
2. Opposite problem
3. Public debt
4. War-torn countries
5. Economic collapse
6. Brain drain
7. Financial incentives
8. Childbearing age
9. Matchmakers
10. Economic fallout