Nope, not surprising, which is why I figure it's as-designed.
That's not really something that's needed.
Well, is it? If the problem is that no new editors are joining then perhaps something that new editors would enjoy working on is needed.
If Wikipedia is fine with continuing to get greyer and greyer, ossifying into a "proper" and "serious" encyclopedia, then that's fine I guess. If new blood is needed, on the other hand, maybe look at things that would attract it and consider that as something that's needed.
It's not like Wikipedia can offer a wage increase.