Population decline, rather than growth, is going to be the most serious temporal problem mankind has faced. If present trends continue, the fallout from a rapid population decline will be significant. Younger cohorts will not produce enough tax revenue to sustain pension plans and the provision of health services for the larger older cohorts. Schools will be shut because there will be fewer children. Also, there will be less tax revenues to fund teachers, school programs, bussing, and infrastructure maintenance. Instead of schools, more hospitals and long-term care facilities will be needed. Instead of teachers, more doctors, nurses, and other health-care workers will be needed. But the smaller population cohorts will not be able to meet the staffing demands. In countries with declining populations, productivity and GDP will decline. This will likely result in a permanent economic stagnation and recession.
