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In 1800, the population of Japan was just over 30 million, a figure which would grow by just two million in the first half of the 19th century. However, with the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate and the restoration of the emperor in the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Japan would begin transforming from an isolated feudal island, to a modernized empire built on Western models. The Meiji period would see a rapid rise in the population of Japan, as industrialization and advancements in healthcare lead to a significant reduction in child mortality rates, while the creation overseas colonies would lead to a strong economic boom. However, this growth would slow beginning in 1937, as Japan entered a prolonged war with the Republic of China, which later grew into a major theater of the Second World War. The war was eventually brought to Japan's home front, with the escalation of Allied air raids on Japanese urban centers from 1944 onwards (Tokyo was the most-bombed city of the Second World War). By the war's end in 1945 and the subsequent occupation of the island by the Allied military, Japan had suffered over two and a half million military fatalities, and over one million civilian deaths.

The population figures of Japan were quick to recover, as the post-war “economic miracle” would see an unprecedented expansion of the Japanese economy, and would lead to the country becoming one of the first fully industrialized nations in East Asia. As living standards rose, the population of Japan would increase from 77 million in 1945, to over 127 million by the end of the century. However, growth would begin to slow in the late 1980s, as birth rates and migration rates fell, and Japan eventually grew to have one of the oldest populations in the world. The population would peak in 2008 at just over 128 million, but has consistently fallen each year since then, as the fertility rate of the country remains below replacement level (despite government initiatives to counter this) and the country's immigrant population remains relatively stable. The population of Japan is expected to continue its decline in the coming years, and in 2020, it is estimated that approximately 126 million people inhabit the island country.

Key information about Japan population

• The Japan population reached 123.7 million people in Dec 2024, compared with the previously reported figure of 124.3 million people in Dec 2023
• The data reached an all-time high of 128.1 million people in Dec 2010 and a record low of 43.4 million people in Dec 1899

• In the latest reports, Japan Unemployment Rate increased to 2.5 % in Oct 2024
• Monthly earnings of the Japan population was 1,957.4 USD in Oct 2024
• Japan Labour Force Participation Rate remained the same rate at 63.5 % in Oct 2024

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.

Historical chart and dataset showing Japan population growth rate by year from 1961 to 2023.

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.

Japan Population Census: Male: Age 100 to 104 Years data was reported at 8,383.000 Person in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 5,851.000 Person for 2010. Japan Population Census: Male: Age 100 to 104 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 5,851.000 Person from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2015, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8,383.000 Person in 2015 and a record low of 3,580.000 Person in 2005. Japan Population Census: Male: 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.

Throughout the Common Era, Japan's population saw relatively steady growth between each century. Failed invasions and distance from Asia's mainland meant that Japan was unaffected by many pandemics, primarily bubonic plague, therefore its development was not drastically impeded in the same way as areas such as China or Europe. Additionally, religious practices meant that hygiene was prioritized much more in Japan than in other regions, and dietary customs saw lower rates of meat consumption and regular boiling of water in meals or tea; both of these factors contributed to lower rates of infection for many parasitic or water-borne diseases. Fewer international conflicts and domestic stability also saw lower mortality in this regard, and Japan was an considered an outlier by Asian standards, as some shifting trends associated with the demographic transition (such as lower child mortality and fertility) began taking place in the 17th century; much earlier time than anywhere else in the world. Yet the most significant changes came in the 20th century, as Japan's advanced healthcare and sanitation systems saw drastic reductions in mortality. Challenges Japan's isolation meant that, when pandemics did arrive, the population had less protection and viruses could have higher mortality rates; smallpox has been cited as the deadliest of these pandemics, although increased international contact in the late 19th century brought new viruses, and population growth slowed. Earlier isolation also meant that crop failure or food shortages could leave large sections of the population vulnerable, and, as mentioned, the Japanese diet contained relatively little meat, therefore there was a higher reliance on crops and vegetables. It is believed that the shortage of arable land and the acidity of the soil due to volcanic activity meant that agriculture was more challenging in Japan than on the Asian mainland. For most of history, paddy fields were the most efficient source of food production in Japan, but the challenging nature of this form of agriculture and changes in employment trends gradually led to an increased reliance in imported crops. Post-Sakoku Japan Distance from the Asian mainland was not the only reason for Japan's isolation; from 1603 to 1853, under the Tokugawa shogunate, international trade was restricted, migration abroad was forbidden, and most foreign interaction was centered around Nagasaki. American neo-imperialism then forced Japan to open trade with the west, and Japan became an imperial power by the early-1900s. Japanese expansion began with a series of military victories against China and Russia at the turn of the century, and the annexation of Taiwan, Korea, and Manchuria by the 1930s, before things escalated further during its invasion of China and the Second World War. Despite its involvement in so many wars, the majority of conflicts involving Japan were overseas, therefore civilian casualties were much lower than those suffered by other Asian countries during this time. After Japan's defeat in 1945, its imperial ambitions were abandoned, it developed strong economic ties with the West, and had the fastest economic growth of any industrial country in the post-WWII period. Today, Japan is one of the most demographically advanced countries in the world, with the highest life expectancy in most years. However, its population has been in a steady decline for over a decade, and low fertility and an over-aged society are considered some of the biggest challenges to Japanese society today.

Population density per pixel at 100 metre resolution. WorldPop provides estimates of numbers of people residing in each 100x100m grid cell for every low and middle income country. Through ingegrating cencus, survey, satellite and GIS datasets in a flexible machine-learning framework, high resolution maps of population counts and densities for 2000-2020 are produced, along with accompanying metadata. DATASET: Alpha version 2010 and 2015 estimates of numbers of people per grid square, with national totals adjusted to match UN population division estimates (http://esa.un.org/wpp/) and remaining unadjusted. REGION: Africa SPATIAL RESOLUTION: 0.000833333 decimal degrees (approx 100m at the equator) PROJECTION: Geographic, WGS84 UNITS: Estimated persons per grid square MAPPING APPROACH: Land cover based, as described in: Linard, C., Gilbert, M., Snow, R.W., Noor, A.M. and Tatem, A.J., 2012, Population distribution, settlement patterns and accessibility across Africa in 2010, PLoS ONE, 7(2): e31743. FORMAT: Geotiff (zipped using 7-zip (open access tool): www.7-zip.org) FILENAMES: Example - AGO10adjv4.tif = Angola (AGO) population count map for 2010 (10) adjusted to match UN national estimates (adj), version 4 (v4). Population maps are updated to new versions when improved census or other input data become available.

This statistic presents the results of a survey on the perceived percentage of population over 65 years old by 2050 in Japan as of 2018. According to data published by Ipsos, Japanese respondents overestimated the proportion of their population who will be over ** in 2050. On average, the respondents thought that around ** out of every 100 people in Japan will be over 65 years old in 2050, when the actual share of elderly population, according to projections by the World Bank, will be around ** percent in Japan.

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.

These datasets provide estimates of population counts for each 100 x 100m grid cell in the country for various years. Please refer to the metadata file and WorldPop website (www.worldpop.org) for full information.

Japan JP: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population data was reported at 66.487 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 65.290 % for 2016. Japan JP: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population data is updated yearly, averaging 47.350 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 66.487 % in 2017 and a record low of 43.299 % in 1992. Japan JP: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age 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. Age dependency ratio is the ratio of dependents--people younger than 15 or older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average; Relevance to gender indicator: this indicator implies the dependency burden that the working-age population bears in relation to children and the elderly. Many times single or widowed women who are the sole caregiver of a household have a high dependency ratio.

Aioi City(Aioi Shi)'s Population (100 and over, total) is 33person which is the 592nd highest in Japan (by City). It also ranks 26th in Hyogo Prefecture, with 1% share of the entire Hyogo. Transition Graphs and Comparison chart between Aioi City and Haibara gun yoshida Town(Shizuoka) and Niimi City(Okayama)(Closest City in Population) are available. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Japan JP: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Old data was reported at 45.032 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 43.909 % for 2016. Japan JP: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Old data is updated yearly, averaging 16.239 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 45.032 % in 2017 and a record low of 8.767 % in 1960. Japan JP: Age Dependency Ratio: % of Working-Age Population: Old 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. Age dependency ratio, old, is the ratio of older dependents--people older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64. Data are shown as the proportion of dependents per 100 working-age population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

Kitaaiki Village(Kitaaiki Mura)'s Population (100 and over, total) is 2person which is the 1609th highest in Japan (by City). It also ranks 68th in Nagano Prefecture, with 0.1% share of the entire Nagano. Transition Graphs and Comparison chart between Kitaaiki Village and Kamoenai Village(Hokkai do) and Otoineppu Village(Hokkai do)(Closest City in Population) are available. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Tama City(Tama Shi)'s Population (100 and over, total) is 71person which is the 255th highest in Japan (by City). It also ranks 33rd in Tokyo Prefecture, with 1.09% share of the entire Tokyo. Transition Graphs and Comparison chart between Tama City and Ashikaga City(Tochigi) and Yonago City(Tottori)(Closest City in Population) are available. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking (% of population) in Japan was reported at 100 % in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking (% of population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Tome City(Tome Shi)'s Population (100 and over, total) is 62person which is the 304th highest in Japan (by City). It also ranks 5th in Miyagi Prefecture, with 4.73% share of the entire Miyagi. Transition Graphs and Comparison chart between Tome City and Gamagori City(Aichi) and Tsubame City(Niigata)(Closest City in Population) are available. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.

Yachiyo City(Yachiyo Shi)'s Population (100 and over, total) is 65person which is the 285th highest in Japan (by City). It also ranks 10th in Chiba Prefecture, with 2.29% share of the entire Chiba. Transition Graphs and Comparison chart between Yachiyo City and TaitTO ku(Tokyo) and Kumagaya City(Saitama)(Closest City in Population) are available. Various data can be downloaded and output in csv format for use in EXCEL free of charge.