DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

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The history of humankind is closely tied to the problems of population reproduction, changes in its size, and patterns of human settlement. Population in all countries has been growing for millennia. However, in the 20th and 21st centuries, the situation began to change. The article examines certain aspects of the influence of demographic factors on economic processes. An attempt was made to outline the problems of the demographic crisis and demographic explosion in the 21st century. While there is a demographic crisis in the West, the countries of the Global South are mainly experiencing rapid population growth. In modern Europe, the percentage of people of working age is decreasing, while the share of people of non-working age is increasing. A similar situation is observed in Southeast Asian countries, for example, in Japan and South Korea. The demographic situation in Ukraine can also be characterized as a crisis. During the last decades, the population of Ukraine has been rapidly decreasing. On the other hand, in many countries of Asia and Africa, the population continues to grow rapidly. For instance, Africa is the region with the highest total fertility rate. Examples of countries with very high population growth are Niger, Uganda and Mali. Typically, these countries face significant issues with education. The article uses examples from some African (the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Asian (Bangladesh) countries to demonstrate the varying demographic situations in different regions. It is shown that rapid population growth can contribute to increased crime rates, which often depend on the level of material well-being of the population. Terrorist groups often exploit poverty to recruit young people into illegal activities. It is noted that young people are often prone to radicalism, making a high proportion of young people in the population a risk factor. Rapid population growth in poor countries leads to an increase in the number of migrants, both legal and illegal ones. Wars, famine, and political repression are among the number of factors causing mass displacement of people. In European countries that receive migrants, social dissatisfaction often grows. Imperfect migration policies are often the reason for the rise in popularity of Eurosceptic parties, such as “Alternative für Deutschland” or “Lega Nord”. Using Poland as an example, it is demonstrated that anti-migrant movements can also be directed against Ukrainians. The failures of European countries in their migration policies should be a warning for Ukraine. We believe that our country will have a labour shortage after the end of the war. Therefore, we suggest considering the difference in mentality between ethnic Ukrainians and potential migrants. After all, the priority of the state should be to ensure the safety of Ukrainian citizens.