@Zylphie actually you can increase death rate with genes. Didn't tested it though. In theory you can make it lower so you can buy weapon factory and research center. When you are done you can just increase birthrate and reach usual population again. Again did not not tested.
Maybe add "attack when your attack above country's people" option. Because when you left grinding most of weapons go to trash. This way you can one hit to country's square and no weapons wasted.
Please send me your save, I would really like to see this late game :) (I reset often to test it, haven't played that far really.)