CNN
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Japan’s estimated child population has shrunk to a record low for the 44th consecutive year, government data showed Sunday. The country is tackling a demographic crisis highlighted by declining birth rates and a rapidly aging population.
The number of children under the age of 14 was 13.66 million as of April 1, a decline of 350,000 from a year ago, according to data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Communications prior to the national Children’s Day public holiday.
Children account for just 11.1% of Japan’s total population, which was 133.4 million last year, showing a slight decline from the previous year.
In comparison, according to the respective government figures, the proportion of children to the population was around 21.7% in the US in 2023 and 17.1% in China in 2024.
The demographic crisis has become one of Japan’s most pressing issues, and its fertility rate is continuing to decline despite efforts by the government to encourage young people to marry and start a family.
Japan’s Birth Rate – The average number of children born from women in life has been relatively flat at 1.3 in recent years, far below the 2.1 required to maintain a stable population.
For decades, it has also been on a downward trend that has seen the number of deaths overtaken childbirth each year, with the total population shrinking and widespread results in Japan’s labor force, economic, welfare system and social fabric.
In 2024, the country recorded 1.62 million deaths, according to the Ministry of Health. More than twice the number of births. The number of marriages rose slightly, up about 10,000 from the previous year, but remained low, indicating the number of divorces.
Experts say the decline is expected to continue for at least decades, and is somewhat irreversible due to the country’s population structure. Japan is a “ultra-aged” country, with over 20% of its population exceeding 65. It was 133.4 million in 2024, but is expected to decrease to approximately 88 million by 2065.
According to experts, including Japan’s high cost of living, stagnant economy and wages, limited space and the country’s harsh labor culture, there are several factors that explain why a small number of people choose to marry and have children.
Japan has a culture of overwork, which is deeply symbolic. Employees from various sectors report punishments from supervisors and high pressure punishments, leaving many young people of childbirth age to focus on their careers rather than starting a family.
The increased cost of living, worsened by the weak yen, the economic downturn and high inflation rates, and experts say, are contributing to public dissatisfaction.
However, the government is aiming to ease the impact of demographic changes, launch new government agencies, speed up fertility and focus on encouraging marriage. We have launched initiatives such as expanding parenting facilities and providing housing subsidies to parents.
Some of Japan’s neighbors, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, are struggling with population decline, as are some European countries such as Spain and Italy. However, unlike many of their East Asian counterparts, European countries have been much more open to immigrants to alleviate the aging of their society.
Until recently, China was the world’s most populous country, with its population decline for the third year in 2024, with deaths exceeding newborns. India is currently overtaking China in terms of population size.
Correction: The headlines in this article have been revised to under 14 years old.
