If the population decreases by 2% each year, that can be represented by multiplying the population by 0.98 mathematically. So if it decreases by 2% each year, an equation we can use is:
P*(0.98)^t,
where P is the current population and t is the number of years.
So in 2020, that would be 10 years from now, so the population would be:
1759*(0.98)^10 = 1437.23
Or about 1437 people.
How long till it is less than 1000? We can set up an inequality and solve:
1759*(0.98)^t < 1000
(0.98)^t < 1000/1759
t*ln(0.98) < ln(1000/1759)
t > ln(1000/1759)/(ln(0.98)) (swap the sign because ln(0.98) is a negative #)
t > 27.95
So the population would be below 1000 in about 28 years, or 2038.
