Aging Populations and Which Countries Look the Worst

Peter Zeihan 3 min

Italy, China, and Korea face civilization crashing events due to rapid aging without adaptation. Korea might find a path out if any country can figure out how to adapt.

Chapters

  1. 0:00

    Japan vs. Other Aging Nations

    Japan adapted to aging while others like Italy and China have not. Italy's aging population will crack the European monetary union. China lacks a pension system and faces a civilization crashing event.

  2. 2:36

    Korea's Adaptive Potential

    Korea may adapt to aging through defying physics like building supertankers.

Key points

  • 0:00

    Japan saw aging coming decades ago and started extending working lives.

  • 0:00

    Twenty other countries are aging faster than Japan today.

  • 0:00

    Italy is the oldest country in Europe and faces monetary union strain.

  • 0:00

    Germany will shift from net payer to net payee within a couple of years.

  • 0:00

    China lacks a social security or pension system worth knowing.

  • 0:00

    China losing its workforce will be a civilization crashing event.

  • 0:00

    Korea is aging very quickly, maybe even just a touch faster than Italy.

  • 2:36

    Korea defied physics by building supertankers without a dry dock first.

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