A Silent Catastrophe: Japan's Demographic Decline Hits a Record Low
Decline in birth rate: Japan records less than 700,000 newborns annually for the first time ever.
In 2024, Japan witnessed a historic milestone: the country recorded less than 700,000 births in a single year, marking the first time since records began in 1899. According to official data, there were 686,061 births last year, represent a significant decrease of 41,227 from the previous year. With an alarming 1.6 million deaths in 2024 (a 1.9% increase), Japan faces an imminent demographic crisis.
Japan, with the world's oldest population after Monaco, has struggled for years to reverse this trend, introducing family-friendly policies like flexible working hours. Yet, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba refers to the situation as a "silent crisis," particularly in rural areas where over 20,000 communities have a majority of residents aged 65 or older.
The aging society has led to a severe labor shortage in the country of 123 million. Despite this, the Japanese government maintains stringent immigration policies, only permitting temporary entry for young foreign workers.
The Battle Against Demographic Oblivion
To combat the population decline, Japan has devised several strategies:
- Work-Life Balance Rebalancing: Efforts are being made to create a workspace that allows couples to juggle work and family responsibilities, especially in rural areas where traditional values can make it challenging for women[1].
- Marriage and Fertility Boost: Urgent measures are being implemented to encourage marriage and increase fertility rates as the situation is deemed critical[2].
- Government Aid: Despite these efforts, the birth rate persists in dropping, highlighting the need for more holistic support[3].
Mountains to Climb
Japan's demographic crisis presents formidable obstacles:
- Steep Decline in Births: In 2024, the birth rate plummeted by 5.7% compared to the previous year, reaching a record low of 686,061. The total fertility rate fell to an all-time low of 1.15 children per woman, a decrease from 1.20 the previous year, due to delayed marriages and childbirth[2][3].
- Shrinking Population: With over 919,000 people leaving Japan in 2024, the population saw its 18th consecutive year of decline. This trend is further exacerbated by the high death count, which soared to a record 1.61 million[3].
- Economic and Security Conundrums: The aging population and dwindling workforce pose significant economic and security threats to Japan. The government seeks to raise defense spending amidst these demographic shifts[1][2].
All in all, Japan finds itself in a complex demographic predicament that demands comprehensive and innovative solutions to counteract both the social and economic repercussions of its aging and shrinking population.
The Commission has also been consulted on the following issues: the science behind strengthening work-life balance and the health-and-wellness benefits of promoting marriage and increased fertility rates, in light of Japan's demographic crisis. The Commission's expertise in these areas could provide valuable insights to support Japan's strategies for combating its growing population decline and revitalizing rural communities.
