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.

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

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.

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 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.

Graph and download economic data for Population, Total for Japan (POPTOTJPA647NWDB) from 1960 to 2023 about Japan and population.

As of 2024, the total population in Japan was estimated to number approximately 123.84 million people. The projection for 2100 indicated an almost 50 percent decrease in population to around 62.78 million people.

Japan Population Census: Shi Population data was reported at 116,137,232.000 Person in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 116,156,631.000 Person for 2010. Japan Population Census: Shi Population data is updated yearly, averaging 71,392,409.000 Person from Dec 1920 (Median) to 2015, with 20 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 116,156,631.000 Person in 2010 and a record low of 10,096,758.000 Person in 1920. Japan Population Census: Shi Population 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 general, 'Shi' is defined as the municipality which satisfy the following conditions1. 50,000 or more inhabitants2. 60 percent or more of the houses located in the main built-up areas3. 60 percent or more of the population (including their dependants) engaged in manufacturing, trade or other urban type of business

Population ages 60-64, male (% of male population) in Japan was reported at 6.244 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Population ages 50-64, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June 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 growth (annual %) in Japan was reported at --0.48737 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

Japan Population Census: Age 100 to 104 Years data was reported at 61,763.000 Person in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 43,882.000 Person for 2010. Japan Population Census: Age 100 to 104 Years data is updated yearly, averaging 43,882.000 Person from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2015, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 61,763.000 Person in 2015 and a record low of 23,873.000 Person in 2005. Japan Population Census: 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.

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

In 2023, people aged 65 years and older in Japan accounted for approximately 29.6 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 39 percent of the population in Japan by 2070.

Japan: Population density, people per square km: The latest value from 2021 is 345 people per square km, a decline from 346 people per square km in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 456 people per square km, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Japan from 1961 to 2021 is 325 people per square km. The minimum value, 256 people per square km, was reached in 1961 while the maximum of 351 people per square km was recorded in 2004.

JP: Population: as % of Total: Aged 0-14 data was reported at 12.887 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12.936 % for 2016. JP: Population: as % of Total: Aged 0-14 data is updated yearly, averaging 19.437 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 30.264 % in 1960 and a record low of 12.887 % in 2017. JP: Population: as % of Total: Aged 0-14 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 between the ages 0 to 14 as a percentage of the total population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

Population, female (% of total population) in Japan was reported at 51.19 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Population, female (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on May of 2025.

JP: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data was reported at 32.224 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 32.138 % for 2016. JP: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 32.079 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 34.533 % in 2000 and a record low of 28.449 % in 1961. JP: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban 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. Population in largest city is the percentage of a country's urban population living in that country's largest metropolitan area.; ; United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.; Weighted average;

The 1st Population Census. In order to clarify the state of Japan’s population and households, the population census has been conducted in Japan almost every five years.More details on the "Population Census of Japan" overall including other years can be found here: https://d-infra.ier.hit-u.ac.jp/Japanese/statistical-yb/b001.html.　　　　　 Unlike in recent censuses, individuals were not counted at their place of usual residence but at the place where they were at 0:00h on October 1st.

Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in Japan was reported at 29.56 % in 2023, 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 June of 2025.