This map shows median age by country, highlighting the growing demographic divide between ageing industrial societies and younger, rapidly growing regions. These population structures increasingly shape economic pressure, political stability, and strategic behaviour.

Purpose

Demographics is the defining factor shaping global politics. Ageing societies consume more than they produce. Younger societies do the opposite. When the balance tips too far in either direction, political stability suffers.

Strategic Context

Much of Europe, East Asia, Russia, and parts of China are ageing rapidly. As this happens, consumption shifts away from growth-driving sectors such as housing, family formation, and durable goods. Capital shrinks, labour becomes scarce, and governments struggle to maintain welfare systems without eroding productivity.

At the other end of the spectrum, regions with large and rapidly growing youth populations face a different problem. When young people reach a critical mass without sufficient economic opportunity, instability becomes highly likely.

Reference Layer

Population structure is a slow-moving but powerful variable. This map serves as a demographic baseline against which economic, political, and strategic assessments can be measured.