Japan posts record decline in population

Japan’s population fell by a record 898,000 people in the past year, marking the largest annual decline in the country’s history and intensifying concerns over its rapidly aging society and shrinking birthrate.

Japan’s population has experienced its steepest annual decline on record, shrinking by 898,000 people as of October 2024 compared to the previous year, according to Tokyo-based Kyodo News, citing government estimates.

This marks the 14th consecutive year of population decline in the country. The previous record drop of 861,000 was reported in July 2024. Japan’s total population, including foreign residents, now stands at approximately 120.3 million, highlighting the country’s deepening demographic challenges driven by a low birthrate and an aging population.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reported that only Tokyo and the neighboring Saitama prefecture recorded population increases. The current figures represent the largest demographic drop since comparable data collection began in 1968.

In response to the ongoing crisis, Japan’s parliament passed legislation in June 2024 aimed at boosting the birthrate. The law includes measures such as increased child allowances and improved parental leave policies.

Officials have emphasized that the years leading up to 2030 are crucial for reversing the trend. Commonly cited causes include delayed marriage, economic insecurity, and insufficient support for working parents.

Japan’s total fertility rate—the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime—fell to a record low in 2023, the lowest since tracking began in 1947.

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