Editor's Note:
The writer, Mr. I. Hussain Janjua is a senior media professional and analyst having experience of research broadcast journalism in different organisations. He is a non-resident fellow of Chengdu Institute of World Affairs (CIWA). (Email: ihussainjanjua@yahoo.com; twitter: @ihussainjanjua)
Japan, one of the leading economic powers in the world, has opted to novel way of arresting its fast depleting population rate, using artificial intelligence to ensure increase in birth rate, allocating 19 million dollars as it is feared that in 2017 the Japanese population from its highest number 128 million in 2017 will squeeze to mere 53 million by the end of this century.
Investment in this initiative of using artificial intelligence would help people find their life partners as last year with the birth of 865,000 babies the birth rate in Japan fell to record low, causing Japan to start providing funds from next year to the local government schemes finding pairs using artificial intelligence.
Resultantly, the number of aged population would increase by great numbers and majority of people would be of over 80 years of age. Japan’s step to increase its population by encouraging artificial intelligence for this purpose is the latest effort in this regard.
Already quite a sizeable number of people are providing services in finding matches using traditional ways while some have introduced artificial intelligence. Those running the latest method believe that it is the most suitable way of match-making wherein people share details for better analysis as the prevalent system only focuses income and age.
According to Japanese media, people using the new government scheme would introduce more costly and the latest system, enabling the pairs to even know about each other’s interests and values. The government of Japan is also considering giving concessions to the local governments believing a surge in falling birth rate is quite possible.
In the years ahead, according to researchers, by 2064, the world population after reaching its peak at 9.7 billion would start falling and would reach 8.8 billion by 2100, a significant natural phenomenon according to Professor Christopher Murray, “Difficult to believe and comprehend, it is quite extra-ordinary; we will have to change our societies.”
The Japanese population had reached its highest figure at 128 million in 2017 which would get reduced to 53 million by the end of this century. Likewise, Italian population would shrink to 28 million from present 53 million while the population of 23 countries including Spain, Portugal, Thailand and South Korea would also follow the suit which in Professor Murray’s view would be an unbelievable occurrence.
The world’s most populous country China’s population would reach its peak at 1.4 billion in next four years which would stand at 732 million by 2100, India taking the top slot.
Japan is not the only country that is worried over the low birth rate and is now making efforts to boost population growth rate as according to experts the world is not ready to face the impact of alarming reduction in birth rate by the end of this century as the population of almost every country would witness a decrease.
It is certainly an international issue where out of 195 countries the population of 183 countries would suffer a decline. Though some people may think that it would be good for the environment as with lesser number of people less Carbon Dioxide would be discharged and cutting of trees for agriculture purposes would come to end but the number of aged people (from 141 million to 866 million and kids of less than 5 year age from 681 million to 401 million respectively in 2017) would outnumber the youth, having its own negative impact.
To counter this situation, the countries like Britain would attract refugees to enhance their population growth rate but it would be quite an uphill task in view of the increased aged population.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)