Countries with Shrinking Populations (2024)
Source: World Bank·25 countries·Updated 2024
Aging societies, low birth rates, and emigration are causing populations to shrink. These 25 countries face the steepest demographic decline in 2024.
Kosovo leads with population growth (%) of -5.4%.
St. Martin (French part) ranks #2 at -5.2%.
Marshall Islands ranks #3 at -3.3%.
Moldova ranks #4 at -2.3%.
Northern Mariana Islands ranks #5 at -1.9%.
Bottom 25 Countries by Population Growth (%)
| # | Country | Population Growth (%) | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Kosovo | -5.4% | 2024 |
| 2 |  St. Martin (French part) | -5.2% | 2024 |
| 3 |  Marshall Islands | -3.3% | 2024 |
| 4 |  Moldova | -2.3% | 2024 |
| 5 |  Northern Mariana Islands | -1.9% | 2024 |
| 6 |  Tuvalu | -1.7% | 2024 |
| 7 |  American Samoa | -1.6% | 2024 |
| 8 |  Albania | -1.5% | 2024 |
| 9 |  Latvia | -0.9% | 2024 |
| 10 |  Monaco | -0.8% | 2024 |
| 11 |  St. Vincent and the Grenadines | -0.7% | 2024 |
| 12 |  Bosnia and Herzegovina | -0.7% | 2024 |
| 13 |  Serbia | -0.6% | 2024 |
| 14 |  Sri Lanka | -0.6% | 2024 |
| 15 |  Virgin Islands (U.S.) | -0.5% | 2024 |
| 16 |  Belarus | -0.5% | 2024 |
| 17 |  Dominica | -0.5% | 2024 |
| 18 |  Japan | -0.4% | 2024 |
| 19 |  Georgia | -0.4% | 2024 |
| 20 |  Tonga | -0.4% | 2024 |
| 21 |  Cuba | -0.4% | 2024 |
| 22 |  Poland | -0.3% | 2024 |
| 23 |  Hungary | -0.3% | 2024 |
| 24 |  Mauritius | -0.2% | 2024 |
| 25 |  Russian Federation | -0.2% | 2024 |
Data from 217 countries is available. View full rankings →
FAQ
What is the lowest population growth (%) in 2024?
Kosovo has the lowest population growth (%) at -5.4% in 2024.
How many countries are included in this ranking?
This article features the bottom 25 countries out of 217 with available data. Full rankings available on the indicator page.
Where does this data come from?
Data is sourced from the World Bank. It is updated regularly as new releases become available.