Japan Recorded a Record Decrease in Population in 2024

• In 2024, the population of Japan decreased by more than 900,000 people.
• The number of births reached the lowest level since 1899.
• The Prime Minister referred to the demographic crisis as "a serious situation."

In 2024, the population of Japan decreased by more than 900,000 people, marking the largest drop since the beginning of the census in 1968. According to data from the national broadcaster NHK, the population stood at 124.3 million people.

This marks the sixth consecutive year in which the population of Japan is declining. Last year, there were 686,061 births recorded, the lowest figure since 1899. Meanwhile, nearly 1.6 million people died, indicating that for every newborn, there were more than two deaths.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida described this demographic crisis as "a serious situation," pledging to implement measures to support families, including free childcare and increased paid leave for parents.

The age structure of the population also raises concerns: 30% of Japanese citizens are aged 65 and older, while 60% are between 15 and 64 years old. This is one of the highest proportions in the world.

The number of foreign residents in Japan reached a record level of 3.67 million people as of January 1, 2025, the highest figure since the start of the census in 2013. However, despite the increase in the number of foreigners, the government continues to grapple with political challenges in the field of immigration.

The Japanese government has been striving for many years to increase the birth rate, promoting various incentives, such as subsidies for housing and paid leave for childcare, but deep cultural and economic barriers remain.

Japan has the second-largest population in the world by age after Monaco, which creates additional problems for the country's pension and medical systems.