Japan's child-to-population ratio falls to record low

According to data from Japan's Internal Affairs Ministry , as of April 1, the number of children aged 14 and under, including foreigners, in the country was 14.35 million, down about 300,000 from a year earlier.

Japan's child-to-population ratio was 11.5 percent, down 0.2 percentage points. This is also the lowest figure since 1950 when data collection began.

By gender, boys accounted for 7.35 million of the total, while girls made up another 7 million. There were 3.21 million children aged 12-14, compared to 2.43 million children aged 2 and over. This shows a declining birth trend, with fewer children in the younger demographic.

Last month, the Japanese government established the Children and Family Affairs Agency to oversee childcare policies and is considering various measures, such as ensuring financial resources for households raising children, although doubts remain over whether such initiatives will be effective in reversing the trend of falling birth rates.

According to United Nations data, Japan has the lowest birth rate among 36 countries with populations over 40 million, behind South Korea at 11.6 percent and Italy at 12.4 percent.

After peaking in 1954 at 29.89 million and experiencing a second baby boom in the early 1970s, Japan's child population has continued to decline since 1982.

This worrying trend prompted Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to warn in January that Japan was “on the brink of being unable to maintain social functions”.

"Thinking about the sustainability and inclusiveness of the nation's economy and society, we put child-rearing support as our most important policy," said Fumio Kishida, adding that Japan "simply cannot wait any longer" to address the low birthrate.

Minh Hoa (t/h according to Vietnam+, VTV)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/ti-le-tre-em-tren-tong-dan-so-cua-nhat-ban-giam-xuong-muc-thap-ky-luc-a606405.html