Have there been events that have cost the lives of more than half the population of a country?

Arpeggionist

I'm not sure about specific events, but certainly trends and programs could account for several increases in the population. Many Americans today take pride in being "baby boomers" - meaning that they were born in the big "baby boom" in the first few years after WW2. In Nazi Germany Hitler tried to encourage Aryan citizens to have as many children as possible, and Himler set up the "Lebensborn" program - various hospitals at several locations in Germany and Scandinavia where Aryan women (particularly unmarried women) could go and give birth and raise their children. Today not many people take pride in being Lebensborn children, and it is a sore subject in Germany and even more so in Norway. With the increase of German births and the general decrease of non-Aryan population in Nazi Germany, it is possible that more than half of the current German population is descended from Lebensborn children (although I wouldn't bet on it). May 14 05, 11:40 AM

robboy

Although not specifically referring to individual countries, this site illustrates the effects of the Black Plague. It destroyed approx. one third the population of Europe. http://www.insecta-inspecta.com/fleas/bdeath/ May 14 05, 1:11 PM

eschatologist

Native American populations were wiped out by the disease and conquering brought by European settlers. Numerous tribes that once flourished in the "Americas", today are completely gone. And, Colombus Day is still a Federal Holiday in the US. May 15 05, 7:46 AM

tnrees

If you mean cost the 'Lopez War' between Paraguay and its neighbours in the 19th Century is supposed to have killed nearly every male over 14. May 16 05, 9:12 AM