Japan's Population Experiences Historical Decline in 2024
Japan Faces "Quiet Emergency" as Population Decline Continues
Japan is grappling with a significant issue as its population continues to decline, marked by record low birth rates. The trend, which has been ongoing for several years, saw a record drop of over 900,000 people in 2024, the largest annual decline since records began in 1968.
According to the latest data, the number of births in Japan fell below 700,000 for the first time on record. This decline has been attributed to various factors, including an aging population, high cost of living, intense work pressure, and changing lifestyle choices that discourage childbearing.
The aging population is a major concern, with people over 65 constituting about 30% of the population. This demographic shift increases medical and welfare costs while shrinking the workforce. The number of Japanese nationals between 15 and 64 years old made up 60% of the population, while those aged 65 and over accounted for nearly 30%.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has called this situation a "quiet emergency" and has pledged family-friendly measures to try and reverse the trend. These measures include more flexible working hours to reduce work stress, free or improved access to daycare and childcare support to ease burdens on parents, and efforts to improve work-life balance to make having children more feasible.
In addition, the government is considering increasing foreign resident numbers to supplement the labor force. Foreigners currently form about 3% of the population and help alleviate workforce shortages. However, some political forces oppose immigration, but its importance in Japan’s economy, given the shrinking native labor pool, cannot be understated.
The decline in Japan's population is not an isolated issue. Similar declining birthrates and population concerns are seen across East Asia, including China and South Korea. However, Japan's demographic decline is among the most acute.
Reversing Japan's population decline requires a multifaceted approach addressing economic, social, and cultural factors influencing birth rates, alongside policies to sustain the workforce through immigration and support for parents. The government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Ishiba, is committed to addressing this challenge head-on to ensure a sustainable future for Japan.
[1] Internal Affairs Ministry, Aug. 6, 2025 [2] Health Ministry, June 2025 [3] World Bank, 2025 [4] The New York Times, Aug. 10, 2025
- As the Health Ministry's June 2025 report highlights, the aging population in Japan is a pressing health-and-wellness concern, with potential implications for the nation's healthcare system as more individuals require care.
- The World Bank's 2025 report on science and technology development indicates that research in Japan focusing on aging and health-and-wellness initiatives, particularly those addressing the needs of an aging population, is increasingly important to Japan's future.
