The Demographics of Japan: The Land of the Setting Sun
INTRODUCTION Japan gets special consideration because it is further along the declining population curve than any other large country. It has the oldest population (highest average age) in the world. It has one of the world's lowest birth rates. Unless there are major changes in healthcare technology, immigration, public policy, and birth rates, most industrialized countries will follow Japan down the path of declining and aging populations, and smaller labor forces. Japan has one of the lowest birth rates in the world at 1.15 in 2025, half the replacement rate. The country has had a below replacement birth rate since 1974. Population has fallen by 3 million people in the last five years. Births fell below 700,000 in 2024 for the first time in recorded history. Also i n 2024, the number of deaths were twice the number of births. Japan has the world's oldest population, both as measured as average age and with the highest percent of residents o...