Japan’s 2024 birthrate plummeted to a record low of 686,061, the lowest since record-keeping began in 1899, resulting in a record-low fertility rate of 1.15. This represents a 5.7% decrease from the previous year and falls significantly short of the 2.1 rate needed for population stability. The decline, occurring despite a slight rise in marriages, underscores the urgency of the nation’s demographic crisis, with projections showing a drastic population decrease by 2070. Government initiatives to incentivize childbirth have thus far proven insufficient to counteract the trend.
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A Gapjil 119 survey reveals that a significant portion of Korean workers, nearly 40 percent, cannot freely utilize maternity or parental leave. Non-regular workers face even greater challenges, with over 50 percent unable to take parental leave. This disparity is also evident across company sizes, with smaller companies showing significantly lower leave utilization rates. The survey, along with 58 reported cases of related workplace abuse, highlights systemic issues in Korea’s approach to parental rights.
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A new independent study estimates Cuba’s population to be around 8 million, a 24% decline in four years, significantly lower than official figures. This dramatic decrease, attributed largely to mass emigration exceeding 500,000 in 2024 alone, is described as a “demographic emptying” stemming from a systemic crisis. The study contrasts sharply with official data, which underestimates the scale of the exodus and the severity of the population crisis. This depopulation acts as a key indicator of the broader societal collapse affecting Cuba.
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John Q. Hosedrinker