population has declined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "population has declined" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing changes in the number of individuals in a specific population over time, often in contexts related to demographics, ecology, or social studies. Example: "Due to various environmental factors, the population has declined significantly over the past decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Westchester's loss in Japanese population has declined accordingly.

The New York Times

— Since 2000, Detroit's population has declined 26percentt.

The Washington Post

Over 20 years, the population has declined but the number of housing units has increased.

The New York Times

Since realignment, the state prison population has declined by more than twenty per cent.

The New Yorker

The north's population has declined since the 1970s before reaching a plateau in the late 1990s.

The Guardian

The population has declined slightly, from about 250 two decades ago.

The New York Times

"The entire U.S. warbler population has declined by 30 to 40percentt," Ms. Pelkowski said.

The New York Times

The Polish rough sleeping population has declined as the Polish economy has improved.

The Guardian

The western Hudson Bay population has declined by more than 20% in 30 years.

The Guardian

The Puerto Rican population has declined to one-third of Hispanic New Yorkers.

The New York Times

The population has declined steadily, to 198 now from about 250 two decades ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing population decline, provide specific data or percentages to illustrate the extent of the change. For example, instead of just stating "population has declined", specify "population has declined by 20% since 2010".

Common error

Don't assume the reason for population decline is obvious. Clearly state the contributing factors, such as emigration, low birth rates, or environmental issues. For example, instead of saying "population has declined due to recent events", specify "population has declined due to increased emigration following the economic downturn".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "population has declined" functions as a declarative statement expressing a decrease in the number of individuals within a specific group or area. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Examples provided by Ludwig showcase its use in diverse contexts, from ecological studies to urban demographics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

14%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

11%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "population has declined" is a grammatically sound and prevalent expression used to describe a reduction in the number of individuals within a group. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is accurate and suitable for use in written English. It commonly appears in news reports, encyclopedias, and scientific articles to convey information about demographic shifts, environmental issues, or the consequences of specific events. When using the phrase, it is important to provide specific data and context to clarify the extent and causes of the decline. Alternatives such as "population has decreased" or "population is shrinking" can be used to add nuance or emphasis to the statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

population has decreased

Replaces "declined" with a more neutral term, maintaining the same meaning.

population is decreasing

Mirrors "population has decreased" using a continuous tense.

population has diminished

Emphasizes a gradual reduction in population size.

population is dwindling

Suggests a significant and concerning reduction in population.

population is on the decline

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the population decrease.

population is shrinking

Uses a more active and immediate verb to describe the decline.

population numbers are falling

Uses "falling" to convey a downward trend in population size.

there has been a population decrease

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the decrease itself.

a reduction in population size has occurred

A more formal and passive way of expressing the population decrease.

the number of inhabitants has lessened

Focuses on the inhabitants and uses a less common verb for decrease.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "population has declined"?

You can use alternatives like "population has decreased", "population is shrinking", or "population is dwindling" depending on the context.

How do I specify the magnitude of a population decline?

Specify the percentage or numerical change. For example, "The population has declined by 15%" or "The population has declined from 1 million to 850,000" provides a clearer picture than just saying "population has declined".

What are common causes of population decline that I can mention?

Common causes include emigration, low birth rates, high mortality rates, economic hardship, and environmental factors. Be specific when possible; for instance, "population has declined due to increased emigration following the economic downturn".

Is it better to say "population has declined" or "population decreased"?

Both are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. "Population has declined" might imply a more gradual or concerning trend, while "population decreased" is a more neutral statement of fact.