The World in 2030

22 The World in 2030
But the flow of migrants across borders will dramatically
increase the populations of most other developed countries,
even though Europe’s population will grow more slowly
than the USA.
In 2005, the population of Western Europe was larger
than that of the United States by nearly 100 million
people; by 2030, it is expected to be greater by just 35
million. 27 Whereas the US population is anticipated
to grow by over 65 million during that period (implying
a robust rate of increase of about 0.8 per cent
per year), western Europe’s population is expected to
remain virtually stagnant (growing by less than one
per cent over the entire 25-year period).
It is clear that by 2030 the majority of developed nations
with aging populations (including the United States) will
have long since flung open their borders and greeted with
enthusiasm young and ambitious immigrants. Those that
fail to do so will risk becoming economic also-rans.
The one exception may be Japan, a nation with a rapidly
ageing population, but one that has long cherished its cultural
isolation. Rather than open its borders to immigration,
Japan is investing heavily in developing robots that can take
care of its elderly 28 and produce new wealth within society. I
have no doubt that by 2030 robots will indeed be producing
massive wealth, and that they will be able to take care of the
elderly. But it remains to be seen what sort of future awaits
a nation made up of mainly old people being cared for by a
population of robots.