Japan could lose its 'developed nation' status by 2050

Japan could lose its 'developed nation' status and become an insignificant nation by 2050 according to a report in 2012 by Tokyo-based 21st Century Public Policy Institute, a think tank established in 1997 by the powerful Keidanren (Japan Business Federation). 

And the reasons? Chronic low birth rate and a greying population. 

The Japanese population will drop from 128 million in 2010 to 97 million in 2050 with a large proportion of old people. 

A shrinking and greying population coupled with a dwindling workforce caused by chronic low birth rate will combine with lower savings and shrivelling investment to drag the once mighty economy down. 

It will no longer be rich.

It will lose its global significance.

It will revert to being 'just a small Far Eastern country', according to the report. 

At current birth rates and without immigration, Singapore's population will start to shrink from 2025 onwards. We will be in the same boat as Japan - facing a shrinking and greying population with low birth rate. 

Will Singapore go the way of Japan and become poor and insignificant?

If Japan with its large land mass risks reverting to being 'just a small Far Eastern country', will Singapore risks reverting to being 'just a small fishing village in the East'? 

What can Singapore do to avoid that? 

Ref:
http://www.21ppi.org/english/pdf/120827.pdf

http://www.economywatch.com/in-the-news/japan-could-lose-developed-nation-status-by-2050.20-04.html