Japan’s Population Continues to Decline, Aging Population Surges
For the thirteenth consecutive year, Japan's population has declined, reaching a total of 124.35 million by October 2023, marking a decrease of 595 thousand from the previous year. This data, sourced from Japan's Ministry of Administrative Affairs and Communications, highlights a persistent trend of population decrease in the country.
The decline in population is particularly notable among Japanese citizens, with a decrease of 837 thousand individuals holding Japanese citizenship, the largest drop since 1950.
One striking aspect of Japan’s demographic shift is the rapidly aging population. The number of elderly individuals aged over 65 has soared to 36.4 million, representing a record 29.1% of the total population. Within this demographic, the number of residents aged over 75 has reached 20.08 million.
Conversely, the number of citizens under the age of 14 has dwindled to approximately 14.1 million, reflecting a shrinking younger population.
Japan’s population decline poses significant challenges for the country’s social and economic landscape, including concerns about workforce shortages, healthcare demands, and pension sustainability. As the trend persists, policymakers face mounting pressure to devise strategies to address the implications of an increasingly aged society.
