FX.co ★ Top 10 countries that could disappear in the next 20 years

Spain

Analysts reckon that the Spanish state has experienced a serious decline in connection with the latest financial crisis. The regions of Basque and Catalonia, the latter home to Spain's second biggest city Barcelona, both want increased autonomy from the central government in Madrid with the ultimate aim of becoming autonomous states. Spain is also facing a horrendous economic depression, with a quarter of young people out of work and many others facing deepening poverty. To date, the level of public debt is equal to 97.7%. The unemployment rose to the level of 23,78%.

North Korea

North Korea is also included in the list of countries that are at risk of disappearing. This state was cut off from other powers. According to the latest data, there is a shortage of resources in North Korea: the state's industrial capital is extremely small, military spending has been depleted, a quarter of the population suffer from lack of food. Experts believe that North Korea will sooner or later have to step out of the shadows and establish external relations.

Belgium

Belgium is another country that may fall apart within the next few years because it's citizens are “deeply divided along ethnic lines", according to the Zerohedge. They refer to the two distinct regions of the country - Flanders and Wallonia - which boast vastly divergent cultures and even speak different languages. There are some on both sides of the debate who want Belgium to split into two separate countries, and in 2013 the country went 589 days without a government because opposing politicians could not agree on forming a coalition.

China

Analysts suggest that China will not be able to solve the problems associated with environmental pollution, including choking smog and poisonous drinking water. Half of China's rivers are so badly polluted that their waters are unsuitable for human consumption even after treatment, whilst 250,000 people die prematurely because of smog every year.

Iraq

With a much more plausible suggestion the video states that Iraq – much of which has already split in practical terms – may never reunite as one country again. ISIS jihadis control much of the west of the country and the Kurds hold the north, leaving the internationally recognised government entrenched in its southern strongholds. The author believes Iraq will end up splitting into three separate countries along tribal lines, as it was before the nation was created by the British “with absolutely no regard for the cultural divides of the region".

Libya

Libya, like Iraq, is an “artificial creation of a colonial era". The former Italian colony was held together by ruthless dictator Mummer Gadaffi before David Cameron decided to help depose him, sparking a bloody civil war. The north African state is now falling apart, with fighters reverting back to their tribal instincts which could see Libya join Iraq by fracturing into three distinct nations. The second Libyan civil war is currently ongoing but is likely a unified Libya will not survive the conflict.

The Islamic State

The most controversial entry on the list because the so-called Islamic State is not a recognised country. The Zerohedge states that the growing list of enemies both fighting the jihadis on the ground and bombing them from the skies means their so-called Caliphate is unlikely to survive much longer.

United Kingdom

The video references last year's Scottish independence referendum and burgeoning national movements in Wales and Northern Ireland as causes for concern over the future of the UK. The Zerohedge states that the Scots - who voted by 55% to 45% to stay in the union - “won't give up their quest for independence so easily". They also say there are “simmering movements" in Wales and Northern Ireland - which both have their own parliaments - which could eventually lead to full autonomy. If any of these regions were to gain autonomy from the UK it's possible that the union may fall apart.

United States

In one of the fascinating suggestions, the Zerehedge claims that world's most powerful nation could break apart within the next 20 years. Analytics reference the deeply felt north-south divide between the different states of America which has been entrenched since the civil war which led to the unification of the country. Alaska and Texas are the two states most likely to leave the union, but adds that others could follow. Many of the divisions that caused the civil war in the US still exist to this day. If these deep-rooted political and cultural differences within the US aren't rectified, it's possible some states could break free within the next 20 years.

Maldives

The most likely of the 10 predictions to actually occur, according to experts. Scientists have long warned that the paradise island state – a popular tourist destination for Britons – will soon be reclaimed by the oceans due to rising sea levels caused by global warming. The former president of the predominantly Muslim nation even looked into buying land in neighbouring South Asia to rehome his people when the inevitable happens, so imminent is the country's impending doom. The island nation of Maldives is in extreme danger of sinking due to rising sea levels.