Elon Musk fears global population decline: India, Pakistan, and Indonesia among major victims

Elon Musk has rekindled fears of the looming global population decline, terming it one of the biggest issues facing humanity. He retweeted a post from Tesla Owners Silicon Valley, which highlighted population collapse as a critical threat. The post contained a graph showing projected population changes from 2018 to 2100 for countries like Nigeria, India, the United States, Indonesia, and Pakistan. Musk’s simple response? “Yes.”

Elon Musk Highlights Global Threat, the Population Decline

For decades, experts have warned about the implications of dwindling populations in the world. The main factors contributing to this phenomenon are low fertility rates, aging, and migration. Most countries are already witnessing birth rates fall below the critical threshold of 2.1 children per woman needed to replenish the population without population growth.

In England and Wales, the average number of children per woman fell to a historic low of 1.44 in 2023, as reported by the Office for National Statistics. Around the world, fertility rates have fallen from 5.3 children per woman in 1963 to less than half that today.

What Would Happen to World Population by 2100?

Projections suggest a steep population decline in some of the world’s biggest countries. By 2100, India is projected to have reduced nearly 400 million from its current figure to barely over 1.1 billion. China will drop even sharper: it might drop to 731.9 million—a massive decrease of 731 million. Nigeria will instead become the second most populated country in the world with an expected population of 790.1 million.

Countries like the United States are predicted to maintain relative population stability, bolstered by positive net migration. Canada and Australia are also expected to benefit from similar migration trends, offsetting low fertility rates.

His words reflect his long-standing concern over the global demographic shift, which he has repeatedly warned may threaten the economy, innovation, and society. With fertility rates still falling and countries facing an aging population, the world is set to face the long-term consequences of this unprecedented trend.

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