Question

Because of an aging population, Russia and Japan are expected to have
population growth in the near future.

Answer 1

That statement is unlikely to be true as written. An aging population by itself usually reduces population growth — often producing population slowdown or decline — unless offset by other factors (mainly net immigration).

Why aging tends to reduce population:
- Fewer people of childbearing age → fewer births (low fertility compounds this).
- More elderly → higher numbers of deaths per year.
- Together these create a natural decrease (deaths > births) unless immigration or a sudden fertility rise compensates.

How this applies to Russia and Japan
- Japan: long-standing very low fertility and a high share of elderly have driven a steady population decline in recent decades. Japan’s population is expected to continue shrinking unless fertility increases substantially or immigration rises much more than historically.
- Russia: also has below‑replacement fertility and an aging population, so its natural trend is toward decline. Russia’s total population trajectory can be altered by migration — for example, sizable immigration can partially or temporarily offset natural decrease.

So a corrected statement would be: “Because of an aging population, Russia and Japan are more likely to experience population slowdown or decline in the near future unless offset by substantial net immigration or a rise in fertility.”

If you want, I can:
- Pull up the latest population data and projections for each country (births, deaths, net migration, TFR).
- Summarize policy options countries use to respond to aging (immigration, pro‑natal policies, retirement/reform, automation).