Japan loses almost 1 million people in a year, the largest population decline in over 50 years

Japan recalls the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima’s attack last year, an surplus of nearly one million deaths compared to the number of births made Japan the largest population decline since the beginning of the historical series, which began in 1968. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba described the demographic crisis of his country, with the aging of the population and the low birth rates, as one “silent emergency”. He also promised favorable policies to families such as free day care centers and more flexible working hours. However, efforts to reverse the decline in birth rates among Japanese women have had little impact so far. Japan had 686,061 births, the smallest since the beginning of the historical series in 1899, while about 1.6 million deaths were recorded. This means that for each born baby more than two people died. This difference marks the tenth consecutive year of population decline, which generates pressures on the country’s welfare and health systems. The fertility rate in Japan has been low since the 1970s. Getty Images via BBC Immigration The number of foreign residents in Japan reached the record of 3.6 million on January 1, 2025. Today, immigrants represent almost 3% of the country’s population. The government has welcomed foreign labor in a shy way by launching a visa for digital nomads and training and training initiatives, but immigration remains a controversial theme in this broadly conservative country. The total number of inhabitants in Japan is currently at 124.3 million. People over 65 now represent almost 30% of the population, the world’s second largest proportion after Monaco, according to the World Bank. The active age population, defined as those aged 15 to 64 years, decreased to approximately 60% of the total of individuals. In Japan, for each born baby, more than two people died. Nurphoto via Getty Images a growing number of cities and villages is emptying, with nearly four million homes abandoned in the last two decades, according to government data released last year. The government has been trying to increase birth rates for years with incentives ranging from housing subsidies to paid parental license. However, deeply rooted cultural and economic barriers persist and disrupt these initiatives. The high cost of living, stagnant wages and a strict work culture discourages many young people to constitute a family. Women in particular face root gender issues that often leave them with limited support in the role of caregivers. Japan’s fertility rate – the average number of children born to a woman throughout life – has been considered low since the 1970s.

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