Imagine the town of Demmin in 2030: Only one day-care center and one school are left and hardly anyone under age 30, but five new nursing homes have gone up. Over the preceding 20 years, the town's young people moved to find work elsewhere. Rural flight is just one of the problems the country will face. The falling population also poses challenges for Germany's economy.
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The effects are already being felt. In the region around Demmin in Germany's northeastern corner, companies are having trouble finding new trainees. Buildings are slated for demolition, and hospitals can hardly find qualified staff. Report by Holger Trzeczak.