Japan's Population Falls to Record Low

Japan's population experienced a record decline in 2024, falling to 120.3 million, a drop of 898,000 people from the previous year. This marks the 14th consecutive year of population decrease, primarily driven by a steep decline in the birth rate, which is among the lowest globally. The aging population, with 16.8% aged 75 or above, further exacerbates concerns about a shrinking future workforce and its impact on Japan's economy and national security. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba acknowledged the ongoing challenges, with Hayashi stating that many people wishing to have children are unable to fulfill their desires due to economic constraints. The government, under former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, implemented various measures, including expanding childcare facilities, offering housing subsidies, and launching a dating app, to encourage marriage and childbearing. Despite these efforts, the trend of declining births has not been reversed, although the number of marriages saw a slight increase in 2024.