In several countries in Eastern Europe, populations are shrinking. The world’s ten fastest shrinking populations are all in Central and Eastern Europe. Bosnia and Herzegovina, with
expected population shrinking of 13%, is very close to these ten countries. However, these population projections are based on medium fertility variant and not taking into consideration
emigrations in which BiH is at the forefront. This means that, if negative demographic trends are not reversed, more significant population decline could be expected in BiH. Governments
are concerned about the negative impact of population decline – and population ageing – on the economy, social systems, infrastructure, and even national security.
But what are the real causes of population decline? What are the consequences? And what does this mean for the policy responses we need to tackle this phenomenon? These brief Q&As
provide answers to these questions and dispel some common myths and misconceptions.
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