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.

In 2024, around **** percent of the total population in Japan was aged 65 years and older. Due to a low birth rate and high longevity, people aged 65 years and over were estimated to make up approximately **** percent of the population in Japan by 2070. The share of children below 15 years old was expected to decrease to around *** percent by that year.

Collective data of Japan's birth-related statistics from 1899 to 2022. Some data are missing between the years 1944 and 1946 due to records lost during World War II.

For use case and analysis reference, please take a look at this notebook Japan Birth Demographics Analysis

Feature Descriptions

• year: The year.
• birth_total: The total number of births.
• birth_male: The total number of male births.
• birth_female: The total number of female births.
• birth_rate: The birth rate. Equation is birth_total / population_total * 1,000
• birth_gender_ratio: The birth gender ratio. Equation is birth_male / birth_female * 1,000
• total_fertility_rate: The average number of children that are born to a woman over her lifetime.
• population_total: The total population.
• population_male: The total male population.
• population_female: The total female population.
• infant_death_total: The total infant deaths.
• infant_death_male: The total male infant deaths.
• infant_death_female: The total female infant deaths.
• infant_death_unknown_gender: The total unknown gender infant deaths.
• infant_death_rate: The infant death rate. Equation is infant_death_total / birth_total * 1,000
• infant_death_gender_ratio: The infant death gender ratio. Equation is infant_death_male / infant_death_female * 1,000
• infant_deaths_in_total_deaths: The infant death ratio among other deaths.
• stillbirth_total: The total number of stillbirths (dead born).
• stillbirth_male: The total number of male stillbirths.
• stillbirth_female: The total number of female stillbirths.
• stillbirth_unknown_gender: The total number of unknown gender stillbirths.
• stillbirth_rate: The stillbirth rate. Equation is stillbirth_total / (birth_total + stillbirth_total) * 1,000
• stillbirth_gender_ratio: The stillbirth gender ratio. Equation is stillbirth_male / stillbirth_female * 1,000
• firstborn: The number of firstborns.
• secondborn: The number of secondborns.
• thirdborn: The number of thirdborns.
• forthborn: The number of forthborns.
• fifthborn_and_above: The number of fifthborns and above.
• weeks_under_28: The number of births occurred under week 28. Early terms.
• weeks_28-31: The number of births occurred between weeks 28 and 31. Early terms.
• weeks_32-36: The number of births occurred between weeks 32 and 36. Early terms.
• weeks_37-41: The number of births occurred between weeks 37 and 41. Full terms.
• weeks_over_42: The number of births occurred over week 42. Late terms.
• mother_age_avg: The mother's average age.
• mother_age_firstborn: The mother's average age of the firstborn.
• mother_age_secondborn: The mother's average age of the secondborn.
• mother_age_thirdborn: The mother's average age of the thirdborn.
• mother_age_under_19: The number of births by mothers under age 19.
• mother_age_20-24: The number of births by mothers between age 20 and 24.
• mother_age_25-29: The number of births by mothers between age 25 and 29.
• mother_age_30-34: The number of births by mothers between age 30 and 34.
• mother_age_35-39: The number of births by mothers between age 35 and 39.
• mother_age_40-44: The number of births by mothers between age 40 and 44.
• mother_age_over_45: The number of births by mothers over 45.
• father_age_avg: The father's average age.
• father_age_firstborn: The father's average age of the firstborn.
• father_age_secondborn: The father's average age of the secondborn.
• father_age_thirdborn: The father's average age of the thirdborn.
• legitimate_child: The Number of births under married parents.
• illegitimate_child: The number of births under non-married parents.

Acknowledgement

E-Stat Demographic Survey

According to a projection made in 2023, it was forecast that the number of people aged 65 years or older in Japan would increase from about **** million in 2024 to around ** million people by 2033. By contrast, the number of children, as well as the working-age population, was forecast to shrink in the same period.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Working-Age Population Total: From 15 to 64 Years for Japan (LFWA64TTJPM647S) from Jan 1970 to Sep 2025 about working-age, 15 to 64 years, Japan, and population.

Japan Population Census: Female: Age 45 to 49 Years data was reported at 4,307,927.000 Person in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 4,005,147.000 Person for 2010. Japan Population Census: Female: Age 45 to 49 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 2,970,735.000 Person from Dec 1920 (Median) to 2015, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5,290,031.000 Person in 1995 and a record low of 1,318,163.000 Person in 1920. Japan Population Census: Female: Age 45 to 49 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: 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.

Actual value and historical data chart for Japan Population Ages 65 And Above Percent Of Total

Japan Population Census: Age 45 to 49 Years data was reported at 8,662,804.000 Person in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 8,033,116.000 Person for 2010. Japan Population Census: Age 45 to 49 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 5,439,514.500 Person from Dec 1920 (Median) to 2015, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10,618,366.000 Person in 1995 and a record low of 2,658,567.000 Person in 1920. Japan Population Census: Age 45 to 49 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: Age 35 to 39 Years data was reported at 8,316,157.000 Person in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9,786,349.000 Person for 2010. Japan Population Census: Age 35 to 39 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 7,688,109.000 Person from Dec 1920 (Median) to 2015, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10,738,044.000 Person in 1985 and a record low of 3,410,738.000 Person in 1920. Japan Population Census: 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.

Actual value and historical data chart for Japan Population Ages 15 64 Percent Of Total

Approximately **** million people in Japan were estimated to be within the age group 65 and over in 2024. This number was projected to ******** until 2040 and then ******* to about **** million by 2120.

The total population in Japan was estimated at 123.8 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - Japan Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Population of compulsory school age, male (number) in Japan was reported at 5156573 Persons in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Population of compulsory school age, male - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Population ages 60-64, male (% of male population) in Japan was reported at 6.3225 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Population ages 50-64, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Actual value and historical data chart for Japan Population Ages 0 4 Male Percent Of Male Population

Japan JP: Population: Working Age: Age 15-74 data was reported at 86,797,720.144 Person in 2026. This records a decrease from the previous number of 87,636,645.464 Person for 2025. Japan JP: Population: Working Age: Age 15-74 data is updated yearly, averaging 91,707,366.827 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2026, with 67 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99,646,204.722 Person in 2000 and a record low of 64,245,345.834 Person in 1960. Japan JP: Population: Working Age: Age 15-74 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.OECD.EO: Labour Force: Forecast: OECD Member: Annual. POP1574 - Working-age population, age 15-74 Population data are based on data reported to the OECD Statistics Directorate by member countries via an annual national accounts questionnaire. For the projection period, series are extended using Eurostat projections (EUROPOP2023) for European countries, and United Nations (WPP2022) for other countries. The data is further adjusted by the OECD.

Population of compulsory school age, both sexes (number) in Japan was reported at 10044659 Persons in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Population of compulsory school age, both sexes - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Working-Age Population Male: 15 Years or over for Japan (LFWATTMAJPM647S) from Jan 1955 to Aug 2025 about working-age, 15 years +, males, Japan, and population.

Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) in Japan was reported at 19.45 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on November of 2025.