There is a sense that the sagging publishing numbers in many Western lands is now pretty much accepted by JW organization.
Why pump your funds into something that is going down regardless of how much you've pumped into it in recent years?
Oh, the uber JWs will find something zeal-inducing about this cost-cutting - but they are swamped by the larger number who warm seats, give pittance each month (low hours and money) and little else.