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 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.

This horizontal bar chart displays median age (year) by countries yearly using the aggregation average, weighted by population in Japan. The data is filtered where the date is 2021. The data is about countries per year.

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

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.

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.; ;

Japan IPSS: Median Mortality (MM): Median Birth Rate (MBR): Average Age data was reported at 54.000 NA in 2070. This stayed constant from the previous number of 54.000 NA for 2069. Japan IPSS: Median Mortality (MM): Median Birth Rate (MBR): Average Age data is updated yearly, averaging 51.900 NA from Dec 2020 (Median) to 2070, with 51 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 54.000 NA in 2070 and a record low of 47.600 NA in 2020. Japan IPSS: Median Mortality (MM): Median Birth Rate (MBR): Average 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 IPSS: Median Mortality (MM): High Birth Rate (HBR): Average Age data was reported at 51.200 NA in 2070. This records a decrease from the previous number of 51.300 NA for 2069. Japan IPSS: Median Mortality (MM): High Birth Rate (HBR): Average Age data is updated yearly, averaging 50.700 NA from Dec 2020 (Median) to 2070, with 51 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 51.500 NA in 2064 and a record low of 47.600 NA in 2020. Japan IPSS: Median Mortality (MM): High Birth Rate (HBR): Average 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.

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

This scatter chart displays median age (year) against expense (% of GDP) in Japan. The data is filtered where the date is 2021. The data is about countries per year.

Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Spain and other 14 countries' historical and estimated median ages.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This scatter chart displays median age (year) against agricultural land (km²) in Japan. The data is filtered where the date is 2021. The data is about countries per year.