Depopulation: the decline of a population leading to reduced community functions, often used for rural areas (commonly used as '過疎化する').
地方では若者の流出で過疎化が進んでいる。
In rural areas, depopulation is advancing due to the outflow of young people.
過疎化により、学校や病院の閉鎖が相次いだ。
As depopulation progressed, schools and hospitals were closed one after another.
自治体は移住促進策で過疎化の歯止めを図っている。
The local government is trying to curb depopulation with policies promoting relocation.