Japan Records Largest Population Decline Amid Ongoing Demographic Challenges
Japan has recorded its largest population decline since official tracking began, highlighting deepening demographic challenges. In 2024, the country witnessed a sharp drop in births coupled with a rising number of deaths, resulting in a net population decrease of nearly 900,000.
According to government data, only 720,988 babies were born last year, a decline of 5% compared to 2023. Meanwhile, deaths rose to 1,618,684, widening the gap and accelerating the natural population decline. This marks the ninth consecutive year of falling birth rates and further cements Japan’s position as one of the fastest-aging nations in the world.
The country’s total population has now fallen to approximately 123.7 million, down from a peak of around 128 million in 2008. Projections suggest it could dip below the 100 million mark by 2048. Japan’s fertility rate has dropped to 1.20 children per woman, far below the 2.1 replacement level required to sustain a stable population.
Compounding the crisis is the aging demographic. Roughly 30% of Japan’s population is now over the age of 65. This imbalance is placing increasing strain on the country’s social welfare systems and shrinking workforce, raising concerns over long-term economic stability and care infrastructure.
In response, the Japanese government has rolled out various policy initiatives, including promoting a four-day workweek and even launching a government-backed dating app. However, these efforts have yielded limited success so far. Experts argue that the key to reversing the trend lies in addressing structural issues such as job security, gender inequality, and work-life balance—factors that strongly influence decisions about marriage and family.
Unless drastic and sustained interventions are introduced, Japan’s demographic decline is expected to intensify in the coming decades, reshaping its economy, society, and role on the global stage.
