In the city of Krotoshin, Poland, specialists from the Uzbek Sumo Federation held a meeting with the President of the European Sumo Federation, Dariush Rozum.
In the city of Krotoshin, Poland, specialists from the Uzbek Sumo Federation held a meeting with the President of the European Sumo Federation, Dariush Rozum.
At the regular meeting of the Executive Committee of the Uzbekistan Futsal Federation, issues regarding the development of futsal were discussed. During the meeting, preparations for the 2026/2027 futsal season, as well as the initial stages of the country's National League matches and the Uzbekistan Supercup meetings scheduled for September 2nd, were reviewed.
A fundamental shift is occurring in global demography. While concerns several decades ago were focused on excessive population growth, the primary threat today is the sharp decline in birth rates and population aging.
To maintain demographic stability and prevent natural population decline, an average rate of 2.1 children per woman is required. However, more than half of the world's population lives in countries where this safe rate is lower.
The most serious consequences of the crisis are visible in Asia and Europe. In South Korea, which was considered an absolute record holder for the process, the fertility rate hovers around 0.7. High real estate costs, intense competition in the labor market, and the expenses of raising children force young people to forgo starting a family and having children.
In Japan, which has become one of the oldest nations, this figure is approximately 1.2, and the country's population is shrinking by hundreds of thousands annually. China, which long pursued the 'One child, one family' policy, has also fallen into a severe demographic trap: the fertility rate reached 1, and the population began to decrease. As a result, India has taken the position of having the largest population.
The situation in Europe is also critical: the average birth rate across the continent is 1.46. For example, Italy (1.2) and Spain (1.16) are facing serious population aging. In the USA, the rate is 1.6, and the demographic balance is mainly maintained through external immigration.
The sharp drop in birth rates worldwide is linked to several interconnected factors. Firstly, urbanization and the high cost of living in cities place significant pressure on family budgets. Secondly, as women receive higher education and have more opportunities for career advancement, the age of marriage is noticeably postponed. Thirdly, family and personal values are changing: among the younger generation, the tradition of living without children or limiting themselves to one child is becoming popular.
The demographic crisis entails serious economic and social consequences. The reduction in the workforce and the increase in the number of pensioners create unprecedented strain on state budgets and pension systems. Economic growth and innovation rates are slowing down, and due to a lack of children, schools and kindergartens are closing, while the demand for nursing homes is increasing.
Despite developed countries (South Korea, Japan, and European countries) allocating huge financial resources and providing tax incentives to stimulate birth rates, these efforts have not yet yielded the expected results. In regions such as Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, and in Africa, high birth rates persist. Consequently, a sharp change in the balance of economic power in the world and the direction of global labor migration is possible in the near future.
Participants of the Uzbek team are demonstrating respectable results in women's matches at the Junior World Wrestling Championship (U17), which is taking place in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
On the second day of the women's martial arts tournament, July 31, Mukhlisa Masharipova, a member of the national team, will compete in the final of the 43 kg weight category. She will fight against German athlete Finja Vivian Strauch.
Previously, Mukhlisa Masharipova lost to American Suzanne Landini in the round of 16 with a score of 10:0. In the quarter-finals, she was defeated by Japanese Sera Furuichi 5:1, and in the semi-finals, she was beaten by Canadian Maya Nikeer with a score of 6:2.
Additionally, Shahzoda Azimova, representing the country in the 65 kg weight class, will face Ukrainian Irina Bukhtina today in a match for the bronze medal.
It should be noted that the international competition is being held with the participation of almost 700 young athletes from more than 60 countries and will last until August 2.
