Japan has recorded the largest population decline since 1950 … and fertility at its lowest levels Lifestyle
The population of Japan decreased to 123.8 million people in October 2024, less than 550,000 people than the previous year, in an annual decline for the fourteenth year in a row, according to official data issued today, Monday.
This decrease appears more clear when foreigners are excluded, with a decline of 898 thousand people, bringing the number of Japanese to 120.3 million.
This decrease is the largest that has ever registered since the government began collecting comparable data in 1950, according to the Ministry of Interior.
The birth rate in Japan is among the lowest rates in the world, threatening to decrease the workforce, low consumption and confronting companies, difficulties in employment, while the fertility rate is 1.26 children/woman (13th place globally).
Japanese government spokesman, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said, “The birth rate continues to decrease because many people who want to raise children are unable to fulfill their desires.”
Many Japanese youth are postponed marriage and children with various reasons, including job security, changing social values, and declining importance of marriage.
The country is heading to employ young foreign workers, but it pursues a strict immigration policy, and allows foreign workers to enter only on a temporary basis.
Hayachi indicated that the government intends to raise youth wages while providing assistance in children’s education, explaining “We will work to enhance comprehensive measures” to support those wishing to have children and “raising them with reassurance.”
Below is a list of countries and regions with lower fertility rates – the average number of children for each woman – in 2024:
Here is a list of the top 10 countries (and regions) with the lowest total fertility rates (the average number of children for each woman) according to the latest data available until 2024:
- Hong Kong: 0.70 baby/woman
- South Korea: 0.78 birth/woman
- Taiwan: 0.87 birth/woman
- Porto Rico: 0.90 birth/woman
- Singapore: 1.04 birth/woman
- Malta: 1.08 birth/woman
- Macau: 1.11 birth/woman
- Spain: 1.16 birth/woman
- China: 1.18 birth/woman
- Italy: 1.24 birth/woman
It is noteworthy that most of the low fertility countries are located in East Asia, where the population suffers from a high cost of living, the culture of work and the late marriage.
There is also a similar pattern in southern Europe due to economic conditions and the difficulty of reconciling work and the family.
The extreme decrease in fertility vowed with future demographic problems, such as population aging and a decrease in the population, which may affect the economy and social security.
