If the US economy functioned fine 10, 20, 50, and 100 years ago, when the population was ~half the size, why can’t it withstand a population decline now?

Question

If the US economy functioned fine 10, 20, 50, and 100 years ago, when the population was ~half the size, why can’t it withstand a population decline now?

In: Economics

Answer 1

You’re asking a smaller population to support the retirement of a very large retired population. This is why chinas economy will collapse pretty soon because of their one child policy.