The median age of the population in Japan has steadily been increasing since 1950 and is projected to be around 47.7 years old in 2020. As of 2021, the median age of Japan is the second highest in the world, behind the Principality of Monaco. The elderly in Japan An improved quality of life and regular health checks are just two reasons why Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. The life expectancy from birth in Japan improved significantly after World War II, rising 20 years in the decade between 1945 and 1955. As life expectancy continues to increase, Japan expects difficulties caring for the older generation in the future. Shortages in the service sector are already a major concern, with demand for nurses and care workers increasing. Fertility and birth rates The fertility rate among Japan’s population has been around 1.4 children per woman since 2010. Apart from a small baby boom in the early seventies, the crude birth rate of Japan has been declining since 1950 and is expected to be as low as 7.5 births per thousand people in 2020. With falling birth rates and such a large share of its inhabitants reaching their later years, Japan’s total population is expected to continue declining.

Over the last decade, Japan’s population has aged more and more, to the point where more than a quarter of Japanese were 65 years and older in 2022. Population growth has stopped and even reversed, since it’s been in the red for several years now.

It’s getting old

With almost 30 percent of its population being elderly inhabitants, Japan is considered the “oldest” country in the world today. Japan boasts a high life expectancy, in fact, the Japanese tend to live longer than the average human worldwide. The increase of the aging population is accompanied by a decrease of the total population caused by a sinking birth rate. Japan’s fertility rate has been below the replacement rate for many decades now, mostly due to economic uncertainty and thus a decreasing number of marriages.

Are the Japanese invincible?

There is no real mystery surrounding the ripe old age of so many Japanese. Their high average age is very likely due to high healthcare standards, nutrition, and an overall high standard of living – all of which could be adopted by other industrial nations as well. But with high age comes less capacity, and Japan’s future enemy might not be an early death, but rather a struggling social network.

The mean age of childbearing in Japan was estimated at around 31.4 years in 2021, slightly down from the previous year. Within the Asian region, Japan showed one of the highest mean age of childbearing.

Monaco is the country with the highest median age in the world. The population has a median age of around 56 years, which is around six years more than in Japan and Saint Pierre and Miquelon – the other countries that make up the top three. Southern European countries make up a large part of the top 20, with Italy, Slovenia, Greece, San Marino, Andorra, and Croatia all making the list. Low infant mortality means higher life expectancy Monaco and Japan also have the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, which contributes to the calculation of a higher life expectancy because fewer people are dying in the first years of life. Indeed, many of the nations with a high median age also feature on the list of countries with the highest average life expectancy, such as San Marino, Japan, Italy, and Lichtenstein. Demographics of islands and small countries Many smaller countries and island nations have populations with a high median age, such as Guernsey and the Isle of Man, which are both island territories within the British Isles. An explanation for this could be that younger people leave to seek work or education opportunities, while others choose to relocate there for retirement.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Working-Age Population Male: From 15 to 24 Years for Japan (LFWA24MAJPM647N) from Jan 1968 to Jan 2025 about 15 to 24 years, working-age, males, Japan, and population.

Japan Population Census: Female: Age 0 to 4 Years data was reported at 2,436,785.000 Person in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2,586,167.000 Person for 2010. Japan Population Census: Female: Age 0 to 4 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 4,070,469.500 Person from Dec 1920 (Median) to 2015, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,558,029.000 Person in 1950 and a record low of 2,436,785.000 Person in 2015. Japan Population Census: Female: Age 0 to 4 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G002: Population: Annual.

Retirement Age Men in Japan increased to 65 Years in 2025 from 64 Years in 2024. This dataset provides - Japan Retirement Age Men - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2023, the average age of persons engaged in farming in Japan stood at 68.7 years. The figure increased significantly throughout the past decade, compared to 66.2 years in 2010. Japan's agricultural workforce is shrinking Japan's aging population and low birth rate have produced a labor shortage in many industries. Since agricultural work is physically demanding and barely profitable and few young people are willing to inherit their parent's farm or enter the sector as newcomers, the number of commercial farm households consequently continues to decrease. The younger generations often prefer to move to metropolitan areas which provide work, convenience, and a modern lifestyle. Further obstacles to the Japanese agricultural sector Its geography complicates agriculture in Japan as the island nation regularly suffers from natural disasters. Typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis cause high damage costs to the agriculture, forestry, and fishery industry every year.Furthermore, only about 20 percent of the mountainous archipelago is suitable for cultivation, and the area of cultivated land keeps shrinking as more and more land is used for housing.

Japan JP: Population: Female: Ages 25-29: % of Female Population data was reported at 4.844 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.936 % for 2016. Japan JP: Population: Female: Ages 25-29: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 6.968 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.438 % in 1974 and a record low of 4.844 % in 2017. Japan JP: Population: Female: Ages 25-29: % of Female Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 25 to 29 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Working-Age Population Total: 15 Years or over for Japan (LFWATTTTJPM647N) from Jan 1955 to Jan 2025 about 15 years +, working-age, Japan, and population.

This dataset is about countries in Japan per year, featuring 3 columns: country, date, and median age. The preview is ordered by date (descending).

This scatter chart displays population (people) against median age (year) and is filtered where the country is Japan. The data is about countries per year.

Japan Population Census: Male: Age 35 to 39 Years data was reported at 4,204,202.000 Person in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4,950,122.000 Person for 2010. Japan Population Census: Male: Age 35 to 39 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 3,859,640.500 Person from Dec 1920 (Median) to 2015, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,398,230.000 Person in 1985 and a record low of 1,707,771.000 Person in 1920. Japan Population Census: Male: Age 35 to 39 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G002: Population: Annual.

This dataset is about countries in Japan per year, featuring 4 columns: country, date, life expectancy at birth, and median age. The preview is ordered by date (descending).

Japan Population Census: Age 0 to 14 Years data was reported at 15,886,810.000 Person in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 16,803,444.000 Person for 2010. Japan Population Census: Age 0 to 14 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 25,341,004.500 Person from Dec 1920 (Median) to 2015, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30,122,897.000 Person in 1955 and a record low of 15,886,810.000 Person in 2015. Japan Population Census: Age 0 to 14 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G002: Population: Annual.

Japan Population Census: Male: Age 60 to 64 Years data was reported at 4,151,119.000 Person in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4,920,468.000 Person for 2010. Japan Population Census: Male: Age 60 to 64 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 1,700,719.500 Person from Dec 1920 (Median) to 2015, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4,920,468.000 Person in 2010 and a record low of 754,000.000 Person in 1925. Japan Population Census: Male: Age 60 to 64 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G002: Population: Annual.

As of March 31, 2024, passenger cars in Japan had an average age of approximately 9.34 years. Over the past decade, the average age of passenger cars increased steadily, hinting at improved durability of vehicles owned in Japan. The Japanese automobile landscape The Japanese automotive industry developed rapidly during the 'economic miracle' post-World War II, making the country one of the largest motor vehicle producers in the world. While international competition within the automobile sector is tight, Japanese engineering is highly valued in its home market and abroad. Domestically produced cars are primarily exported to North America, whereas imported passenger cars arrive predominantly from Europe, followed by imports from Africa and other Asian regions. Domestic passenger car usage Japan’s usage rate of passenger cars was much higher among car owners from rural regions compared to those living in the country’s metropolitan areas, such as Tokyo or Osaka. Due to rising environmental awareness, green vehicle technologies, and car-sharing services that started to pick up in Japan, a new approach to vehicle usage and purchase behavior has likely been sparked.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Working-Age Population Female: From 25 to 54 Years for Japan (LFWA25FEJPM647N) from Jan 1968 to Dec 2024 about 25 to 54 years, working-age, females, Japan, and population.

Japan Population Census: Age 20 to 24 Years data was reported at 5,968,127.000 Person in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6,426,433.000 Person for 2010. Japan Population Census: Age 20 to 24 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 7,822,781.000 Person from Dec 1920 (Median) to 2015, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10,727,636.000 Person in 1970 and a record low of 4,609,310.000 Person in 1920. Japan Population Census: Age 20 to 24 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G002: Population: Annual.

As of March 31, 2024, buses in Japan had an average age of approximately 12.96 years, increasing to a record age. A decade earlier, the average had been 11.76 years.