The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series These Six Countries Are Running Out of People || Peter Zeihan
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Nov 3, 2025 Explore the demographic pitfalls of Germany, Japan, and Italy, where early industrialization has led to severe population declines. Discover how South Korea's rapid urbanization and aging society are reshaping its future. Learn about the looming threats in Brazil and India, where falling birthrates and stagnant growth could spell trouble ahead. This insightful discussion reveals the global implications of these demographic challenges.
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Early Industrializers Face Early Aging
- Germany, Japan, and Italy aged early because early industrialization and urbanization concentrated populations quickly.
- Their geography and political history made rapid urban growth inevitable and set the stage for long-term demographic decline.
Competing Regions Fueled Rapid Urban Growth
- Peter Zeihan recounts how competing regions and new technologies let Germany build multiple industrial nodes rapidly.
- He links that urban burst of power to the rise of those countries on the world stage and wartime outcomes.
Korea's Geography Accelerated Aging
- Korea urbanized fast due to rugged terrain and limited arable land that pushed people onto reclaimed coastal high-rises.
- As a result, Korea is now one of the fastest-aging societies outside China.