2025-12-25 10:21:22

Over the past sixty years, the global demographic structure has undergone significant changes. The proportion of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has declined from the 1960 level to 55% today, a drop of 20 percentage points. It may sound insignificant, but behind this is a major global aging trend.

Regional differences are especially pronounced. East Asia leads the way, with the working population share plummeting by 36 percentage points to 44%, nearly half the global average. The situation in the United States is relatively milder, with a decline of 13 percentage points to 54%. Interestingly, the European Union has actually seen growth, albeit small, by only 2 percentage points, reaching 57%, mainly due to immigration inflows.

More alarming data follows. From 1980 to now, the number of countries facing shrinking working-age populations has increased from 2 to 50. By 2040, this number is projected to rise to 77. In other words, about half of the world's countries will face the decline of the demographic dividend.

What does this mean for the economy? Developed economies already grow slowly, and worsening demographic structures will further suppress growth. Fewer workers, higher caregiving burdens, rising tax pressures—all these will become major obstacles to long-term economic growth.

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ColdWalletAnxiety

· 7h ago

These 36 percentage points in East Asia... can't compete anymore, it's true.

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SchrodingerAirdrop

· 7h ago

East Asia really can't hold on anymore, with a 36 percentage point drop directly halving, this data is a bit terrifying. The EU relying on immigration to survive is truly remarkable, what about us? The demographic dividend is gone, and the deficit is coming. By 2040, half of the countries will be drinking northwest wind, that's a bit exaggerated. With the dependency ratio rising so much, how can pensions withstand it? Fewer workers and more elderly, this is indeed a big pit in the future. Speaking of which, developed countries already have slow growth, and now it's even worse. That 36 percentage points in East Asia is really fierce, it feels like there's no coming back.

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YieldWhisperer

· 7h ago

East Asia is gone directly, 36 percentage points is really incredible... How can we continue to play like this? Immigration is the savior of the EU; from a demographic perspective, it's clear enough. By 2040, 77 countries will be in trouble? The ceiling for economic growth is visibly limited. Shrinking workforce = black hole for pensions. Who will fill it? These numbers in East Asia are almost suffocating; this is a systemic problem. The burden of support is becoming heavier, and young people are under immense pressure. The US is still pretending to be calm with 13 percentage points, but things aren't much better. This trend cannot be reversed; only early planning can help. The demographic dividend is fading; where is the next growth engine... 44% in East Asia, really a bit outrageous; the long-term outlook is worrying.

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DegenApeSurfer

· 7h ago

The 36 percentage points in East Asia are too outrageous, no wonder everyone is talking about a population crisis. How can crypto save this situation? This is truly a recession where shorting is impossible. The EU relies on immigration to survive, but that's just delaying the inevitable; it can't really solve anything. By 2040, 77 countries will experience population decline, and by then the crypto world might be overwhelmed by robotics and AI. The burden of supporting the elderly will skyrocket. Who the hell still has money to trade cryptocurrencies? Now that's the real bearish signal.

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ApeWithNoChain

· 7h ago

East Asia's figure is just too incredible; a 36 percentage point drop just like that, it feels like the economic growth ceiling is right in front of us. Why can the EU turn things around with immigration, but it's so difficult for us? The demographic dividend is really gone; who will dare to make long-term investments next? Aging, to put it plainly, is overdrawing the future—enjoying now while paying off debts later. East Asia currently has only 44% of its population in the workforce—how can we even continue like this? Tax revenue simply can't hold up.

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GateUser-1a2ed0b9

· 7h ago

East Asia was directly hit with a 36 percentage point increase—what does that mean? No wonder the pension gap is getting bigger and bigger.

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LayerHopper

· 7h ago

East Asia's爆锤 data is quite shocking, 44%？How is this supposed to work... With the end of the demographic dividend, who will take over next? The EU relies on immigration to survive, it seems we need to come up with some solutions. Economic growth might start to collapse from here. This number looks a bit scary, is it real? The support ratio is soaring directly, young people are under immense pressure. By 2040, only 77? I feel it's much more, it's already begun. In the face of the aging wave, crypto can't save the economy either. The labor force is plummeting, who will keep the system running?

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