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.

Monaco is the country with the highest median age in the world. The population has a median age of around 57 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.

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.

This scatter chart displays urban population (people) against median age (year) in Japan. The data is about countries per year.

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.

This scatter chart displays female population (people) against median age (year) in Japan. The data is about countries per year.

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 Apr 2025 about working-age, 15 to 64 years, Japan, and population.

Japan IPSS: Median Mortality (MM): Mediam Birth Rate (MBR): Median Age data was reported at 56.600 NA in 2070. This records an increase from the previous number of 56.500 NA for 2069. Japan IPSS: Median Mortality (MM): Mediam Birth Rate (MBR): Median Age data is updated yearly, averaging 54.000 NA from Dec 2020 (Median) to 2070, with 51 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 56.600 NA in 2070 and a record low of 48.500 NA in 2020. Japan IPSS: Median Mortality (MM): Mediam Birth Rate (MBR): Median Age data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Population and Social Security Research. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G005: 2023 Population Estimates: 2020 Census: National Institute of Population and Social Security Research.

Japan JP: Population: Female: Ages 15-19: % of Female Population data was reported at 4.391 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.426 % for 2016. Japan JP: Population: Female: Ages 15-19: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 6.818 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.679 % in 1964 and a record low of 4.391 % in 2017. Japan JP: Population: Female: Ages 15-19: % 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 15 to 19 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.; ;

This dataset is about countries per year in Japan. It has 1 row and is filtered where the date is 2021. It features 4 columns: country, expense, and median age.

Japan JP: Trend Population: Working Age: Age 15-74 data was reported at 86,816,787.818 Person in 2026. This records a decrease from the previous number of 87,652,738.327 Person for 2025. Japan JP: Trend Population: Working Age: Age 15-74 data is updated yearly, averaging 95,912,211.848 Person from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2026, with 42 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99,647,921.387 Person in 2000 and a record low of 86,816,787.818 Person in 2026. Japan JP: Trend 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. POPS1574 - Trend working-age population, age 15-74

The mean age of childbearing in Japan was estimated at **** years in 2023, slightly ** from the previous year. Within the Asian region, Japan showed one of the ******* mean age of childbearing.

This statistic shows the leading countries with the highest projected median age in 2050. By 2050, the Republic of Korea is projected to have the population with the highest median age, at 56.5 years.

JP: Population: Male: Ages 40-44: % of Male Population data was reported at 7.874 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 8.107 % for 2016. JP: Population: Male: Ages 40-44: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 7.267 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.829 % in 1990 and a record low of 4.916 % in 1960. JP: Population: Male: Ages 40-44: % of Male 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: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 40 to 44 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

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.

Japan Population Census: Female: Age 100 to 104 Years data was reported at 53,380.000 Person in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 38,031.000 Person for 2010. Japan Population Census: Female: Age 100 to 104 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 38,031.000 Person from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2015, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 53,380.000 Person in 2015 and a record low of 20,293.000 Person in 2005. Japan Population Census: Female: Age 100 to 104 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.

Murakami City(Murakami Shi)'s Median age is 55.4age which is the 550th highest in Japan (by City). It also ranks 9th in Niigata Prefecture. Transition Graphs and Comparison chart between Murakami City and Kanonji City(Kagawa) and Shimotsuke City(Tochigi)(Closest City in Population) are available. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

This scatter chart displays tax revenue (% of GDP) against median age (year) in Japan. The data is about countries per year.

Annaka City(Annaka Shi)'s Median age is 52.7age which is the 805th highest in Japan (by City). It also ranks 14th in Gunma Prefecture. Transition Graphs and Comparison chart between Annaka City and Fussa City(Tokyo) and Mutsu City(Aomori)(Closest City in Population) are available. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Inuyama City(Inuyama Shi)'s Median age is 46.5age which is the 1341st highest in Japan (by City). It also ranks 12th in Aichi Prefecture. Transition Graphs and Comparison chart between Inuyama City and Tanabe City(Wakayama) and Tosu City(Saga)(Closest City in Population) are available. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.