Graph and download economic data for Population ages 65 and above for Japan (SPPOP65UPTOZSJPN) from 1960 to 2024 about 65-years +, Japan, and population.

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.

In 2024, Monaco was the country with the highest percentage of the total population that was over the age of 65, with ** percent. Japan had the second highest with ** percent, while Portugal and Bulgaria followed in third with ***percent.

Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in Japan was reported at 29.78 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Population ages 65 and above (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Japan JP: Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 65 and Above data was reported at 29.934 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 29.446 % for 2016. Japan JP: Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 65 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 13.229 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 29.934 % in 2017 and a record low of 6.270 % in 1960. Japan JP: Population: as % of Total: Female: Aged 65 and Above 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 65 years of age or older as a percentage of the total female population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average; Relevance to gender indicator: Knowing how many girls, adolescents and women there are in a population helps a country in determining its provision of services.

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.

Japan: Population ages 65 and above, percent of total: The latest value from 2023 is 29.56 percent, an increase from 29.4 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 10.17 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Japan from 1960 to 2023 is 15.14 percent. The minimum value, 5.74 percent, was reached in 1960 while the maximum of 29.56 percent was recorded in 2023.

Population ages 65 and above, male in Japan was reported at 16234342 Persons in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Population ages 65 and above, male - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Japan Population: as of 1st Oct: Over 65 Years data was reported at 35,152.000 Person th in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 34,591.000 Person th for 2016. Japan Population: as of 1st Oct: Over 65 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 26,604.000 Person th from Dec 1995 (Median) to 2017, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 35,152.000 Person th in 2017 and a record low of 18,261.000 Person th in 1995. Japan Population: as of 1st Oct: Over 65 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 ages 65 and above, female (% of female population) in Japan was reported at 32.58 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Population ages 65 and above, female (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

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 average for 2023 based on 196 countries was 10.17 percent. The highest value was in Monaco: 36.36 percent and the lowest value was in Qatar: 1.57 percent. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are 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.

Population ages 65 and above, male (% of male population) in Japan was reported at 26.84 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Population ages 65 and above, male (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

Population ages 65 and above, female in Japan was reported at 20686478 Persons in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Population ages 65 and above, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Age Dependency Ratio: Older Dependents to Working-Age Population for Japan (SPPOPDPNDOLJPN) from 1960 to 2024 about 64 years +, working-age, ratio, Japan, and population.

JP: Population: as % of Total: Aged 65 and Above data was reported at 27.049 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 26.565 % for 2016. JP: Population: as % of Total: Aged 65 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 11.255 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 27.049 % in 2017 and a record low of 5.621 % in 1960. JP: Population: as % of Total: Aged 65 and Above 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. Population ages 65 and above as a percentage of the total population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

The statistic shows the total population in Japan from 2020 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. In 2024, the total population of Japan amounted to around 123.89 million inhabitants. See the figures for the population of South Korea for comparison. Total population in Japan From steadily low fertility rates to a growing elderly population, it is no secret that Japan’s population is shrinking. Population growth rates jump around a little, but are currently following a declining trend. The post-war baby boom generation is now in the 65-and-over age group, and the percentage of the population in that category is expected to keep growing, as is indicated by a high median age and high life expectancy. Japan already has the highest percentage of its population over 65 in the world, and the aging population puts some pressure on the Japanese government to provide welfare services for more people as rising numbers leave the workforce. However, the amount of jobs opened up for the younger generations by the older generations leaving the workforce means that unemployment is kept to a minimum. Despite a jump in unemployment after the global recession hit in 2008, rates were almost back to pre-recession rates by 2013. Another factor affecting Japan is the number of emigrants to other countries. The United States absorbs a number of emigrants worldwide, so despite a stagnating birth rate, the U.S. has seen a steady rise in population.

Population ages 65-69, female (% of female population) in Japan was reported at 5.8351 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Population ages 65-69, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Population ages 65 and above, total in Japan was reported at 36920821 Persons in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Total Population for Age 65 and above (only 2005 and 2010) (in number of people) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.