Japan's Population Falls 898,000, Record Low Birth Rate Persists

Japan's population has declined for the 14th consecutive year, dropping by nearly 900,000 people in 2024 to a record low of 120.3 million. This decline is attributed to a persistently low fertility rate of 1.2 births per woman, far below the 2.1 needed for population stability, and a growing elderly demographic, with 29.3% of the population now aged 65 or older. Despite a $25 billion government initiative to encourage childbirth, the number of marriages and births continues to fall due to economic pressures and cultural factors. Former Health Minister Keizo Takemi has described the situation as critical, warning that Japan has until the 2030s to reverse these trends. As the working-age population shrinks, experts express concerns about the long-term implications for Japan’s economy and social security system. The government plans to implement a more intensive three-year strategy to address the declining birth rate, but results remain uncertain.