Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the demographic challenges faced by East Asian countries, particularly China, Japan, and South Korea, highlighting the trend of declining birth rates and the resulting population decline, while contrasting this with Europe's approach to immigration as a solution to population issues [6][9][23]. Group 1: Population Trends in East Asia - The average fertility rate required for population replacement is 2.1, but China's rate was only 1.3 in 2020, leading to a negative population growth that is expected to continue [6][9]. - South Korea has the lowest fertility rate globally, with projections indicating that its population could drop to less than one-third of its current size in a century, despite government efforts to encourage childbirth [11][21]. - The United Nations predicts that China's population decline will exceed 10 million annually by the middle of this century, equivalent to losing a country the size of Sweden each year [9]. Group 2: Europe's Population Management - Europe, despite experiencing declining birth rates since the 19th century, has managed to stabilize and even grow its population through immigration, with over 6 million people moving to EU countries in 2023, primarily from non-EU nations [13][14]. - Immigration has become the primary factor offsetting natural population decline in Europe, with countries like Germany and Spain absorbing a significant portion of new arrivals [14][23]. - The article emphasizes that the influx of immigrants, particularly from Muslim-majority countries, not only increases the population base but also contributes to higher birth rates, thus prolonging population growth inertia in Europe [21][23]. Group 3: The Concept of Population Inertia - Population inertia refers to the delayed response of population changes to shifts in birth rates, where a decline in fertility does not immediately result in a population decrease due to existing demographic structures [17][18]. - East Asia is experiencing rapid shifts from population growth to decline due to quickly falling birth rates, while Europe benefits from a longer period of population inertia due to immigration [21][23]. - The article argues that once a demographic trend is established, reversing it is challenging, and immigration remains the most effective method to mitigate population decline [23]. Group 4: Challenges and Solutions in Immigration - East Asian countries face severe demographic challenges without effective long-term solutions, while Europe has developed extensive experience in managing immigration to address population issues [25][32]. - European countries have established research institutions to study demographic trends and implement diverse population policies, including open immigration policies to counteract population decline [25][32]. - The article highlights the importance of integrating immigrants into society to address potential cultural conflicts and social tensions arising from demographic changes [36][38].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the demographic challenges faced by countries, particularly focusing on China's declining birth rate and the implications of population inertia, while contrasting it with Europe's approach to immigration as a solution to population decline [5][25]. Group 1: Population Trends in China - The average fertility rate in China is 1.3, significantly below the 2.1 needed for population replacement [5]. - China officially entered a phase of negative population growth in 2022, a trend that is expected to continue [9]. - The United Nations projects that China's population decline could exceed 10 million annually by the middle of this century [9]. Group 2: Comparison with East Asia - Countries like South Korea and Japan have already experienced significant population decline, with South Korea having the lowest fertility rate globally [11]. - Projections indicate that even under optimistic scenarios, South Korea's population could drop to less than one-third of its current size in a century [11]. Group 3: Europe's Population Management - Europe has managed to stabilize its population despite declining birth rates through immigration, with over 600,000 people migrating to EU countries in 2023 [15]. - The influx of immigrants, particularly from non-EU countries, has been crucial in offsetting natural population decline in Europe [15]. - The EU's population exceeded 450 million in 2025, marking four consecutive years of growth post-pandemic [14]. Group 4: Population Inertia and Its Implications - Population inertia refers to the delayed response of population numbers to changes in birth rates, where a decline in fertility does not immediately result in a decrease in population [20]. - In East Asia, rapid declines in fertility rates have led to quicker transitions from population growth to decline, while Europe has a longer period of population inertia due to immigration [23][25]. Group 5: Immigration as a Solution - The article emphasizes that immigration is the most effective way to mitigate negative population growth, as seen in Europe's experience [25]. - European countries have established various policies and institutions to manage immigration and support integration, which has proven essential in addressing labor shortages and demographic challenges [28]. Group 6: Challenges of Integration - Despite the benefits of immigration, Europe faces challenges related to social integration and cultural conflicts, particularly with Muslim immigrant populations [37][42]. - The rise of far-right political movements in Europe reflects growing public concern over immigration and its impact on local cultures and economies [39][40]. Group 7: Future Outlook - The article concludes that while immigration has provided a temporary solution to population decline in Europe, the long-term sustainability of this approach is uncertain, especially as global fertility rates continue to decline [44].