Startling numbers about Japan's population

Japan's population fell by 556,000 in 2022 from a year earlier to 124.9 million, the Japan Times reported on April 12. This is the 12th consecutive year of decline.

Accordingly, as of October 1, 2022, Japan's population, including foreign residents, will be only about 124,947,000 people, of which the number of Japanese citizens will decrease by 750,000 to 122,031,000 people - the largest decrease since 1950.

Japan's population has declined for the 12th consecutive year. Photo: Reuters

The above trend shows the urgent need for Japan now to find ways to deal with the dual challenges of a falling birthrate and an aging population.

According to Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, all 47 prefectures except Tokyo recorded a population decline as of October last year. Okinawa Prefecture alone saw a 0.01 percent drop in population, the first time since 1972.

Meanwhile, Japan's working-age population (those aged 15-64) fell by 296,000 to 74,208,000, or 59.4% of the total population. This percentage is on par with the record low a year earlier.

In addition, Japan's population under 14 years old accounts for 11.6% of the total population, the lowest level in history. In contrast, the population aged 65 and over accounts for a record high of 29% of the total population.

Pham Nghia

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su-quoc-te/con-so-gay-giat-minh-ve-dan-so-nhat-ban-20230412195420915.htm