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 2023, people aged 65 years and older in Japan accounted for approximately **** percent of the total Japanese population. Due to a low birth rate and high longevity, people aged 65 years and older were estimated to make up almost ** percent of the population in Japan by 2070.

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

Japan Population Census: Age 15 to 19 Years data was reported at 6,008,388.000 Person in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6,063,357.000 Person for 2010. Japan Population Census: Age 15 to 19 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 7,884,538.000 Person from Dec 1920 (Median) to 2015, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10,947,996.000 Person in 1965 and a record low of 5,419,057.000 Person in 1920. Japan Population Census: Age 15 to 19 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.

The total population in Japan was estimated at 123.6 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.

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.

Approximately 36.5 million people in Japan were estimated to be within the age group 65 and over in 2024. This number was projected to increase until 2040 and then decline to about 20.1 million by 2120.

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.

In 2023, approximately *** million people within the age group of 15 to 64 years were counted in Tokyo Prefecture, an increase from about *** million people recorded in 2020. Over *** million inhabitants in the metropolis were aged 65 years and older.

Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) in Japan was reported at 50.28 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Total current population for Japan in 2025 is 121,960,408, a 0.55% decline from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Total population for Japan in 2024 was <strong>122,631,432</strong>, a <strong>1.51% decline</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Total population for Japan in 2023 was <strong>124,516,650</strong>, a <strong>0.49% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Total population for Japan in 2022 was <strong>125,124,989</strong>, a <strong>0.44% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.

Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) in Japan was reported at 70.1 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

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.

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 May of 2025.

Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) in Japan was reported at 19.82 % in 2023, 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 July of 2025.

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.

School age population, lower secondary education, both sexes (number) in Japan was reported at 3380407 Persons in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Population of the official age for lower secondary education, both sexes - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

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.

Dataset

This dataset was created by Amit Bidlan

Contents

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