Many countries are experiencing a demographic trend where the number of deaths exceeds the number of births, a phenomenon known as natural population decrease. This is a widespread trend in several European nations.
Specifically, Germany, Hungary, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Greece, Portugal, and Italy are among the countries where deaths are more common than births across a significant portion of their regions.
Understanding Natural Population Decrease
Natural population decrease occurs when the crude death rate is higher than the crude birth rate over a specific period. This means that, without considering migration, the population of a country or region would shrink. While migration can offset this decline, the underlying natural decrease indicates a specific demographic challenge.
This phenomenon is notably prevalent across various parts of Europe. It's not limited to just one or two nations but spans a considerable geographical area, from Central and Eastern Europe to the Nordic region and Southern Europe.
Countries Experiencing More Deaths Than Births
The following countries have regions where deaths significantly outnumber births, contributing to a natural population decrease:
| Region Group | Countries |
|---|---|
| Central Europe | Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic |
| Southeastern Europe | Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria |
| Northern Europe | Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania (Baltic states) |
| Southern Europe | Greece, Portugal, Italy |
Regional Prevalence
It is important to note that this trend of deaths exceeding births is often observed in the majority of counties or regions within these countries, rather than uniformly across every single administrative division. This indicates a pervasive demographic shift within these nations, reflecting broader patterns in their population dynamics. For instance, in countries like Germany, Hungary, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic, deaths exceed births in most of their counties. Similarly, in Greece, Portugal, and Italy, natural decrease is occurring in the majority of their counties.
This widespread occurrence across various regions within these countries highlights the significant impact of this demographic trend on their overall population structures.
