Part of the question is already obvious enough with the server errors, etc.
-Pixel Art is recently starting to act up, and for a long period it wasn't very 'active'.
-Other Chat (OC) is as lively as always.
-Emulation is brimming with activity, and so it did last year.
-HG/SS got a huge boost, especially at the time when it was released, I remember that bobandbill almost got a brain electrocution from the movement that was going on that section.
-As Eeveon said, many good members left, and the site can't make up for their uniqueness. Not that there aren't many explicit New Members that will make up for it.
-There are more supporters and staff members than last year, which is obviously meaning more members coming in.
Anyway, these facts are enough for me to prove you wrong. You choose, pal ;D