A date that has for decades been linked to a catastrophic scenario for humanity is returning to the center of attention. It concerns 13 November 2026, the day that, according to a study published in 1960 by three American researchers, would mark a critical point for the world’s population.
The issue was discussed on the show “Mes’ditë”, where Elena Demollari and pastor Akil Pano rejected claims that this date will mark the end of the world. Demollari was direct in her stance, describing 13 November as a completely ordinary day. “Tomorrow is an ordinary day like any day of the week. Nothing will happen”, she said, warning that alarming interpretations circulating on social networks are creating unnecessary fear.
According to her, the period may be accompanied by developments and shocks in family, financial or political life, but this does not imply a catastrophe on a global scale. Pastor Akil Pano brought attention to the origin of this theory, which is linked to the mathematical calculations of physicist Heinz von Foerster and two of his colleagues. The study predicted that the continuous growth of the population would lead humanity toward a critical point on 13 November 2026, when vital resources such as food and water would become increasingly insufficient. “The whole story of this study about the date 13 November 2026 turned out to be a great farce”, he declared.
To argue his position, Pano referred to the decline in birth rates and population aging, phenomena that are particularly affecting China and many European countries. According to him, the demographic challenge of our time is no longer overpopulation, but population shrinkage and a lack of births. “The greatest danger today is not overpopulation, but the maximum reduction of births”, Pano stressed, calling for more policies supporting families and encouraging childbirth. He also highlighted Albania, which, according to him, should pay more attention to this issue.