JAPAN’S BIRTHS LIKELY TO DIP BELOW 700,000 FOR 1ST TIME IN 2024: MEDIA

Fri 15 November 2024:

The number of births in Japan in 2024 is likely to fall under 700,000 for the first time after government data showed Tuesday that the figure in the first half fell 6.3 percent from a year earlier to 329,998, Kyodo News reported.

Health ministry’s data for the six-month period from January, excluding foreigners, reflects the birth rate remaining at record lows in the past years, as more people choose not to marry or delay marriage and having children until later in life, the report said.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths in the year through June rose 1.8 percent from a year earlier to 800,274, resulting in a natural population decline of 470,276.

With its population declining for the 15th consecutive year in 2023, Japan seeks to raise the birth rate by expanding childcare allowances and providing benefits for taking parental leave, among other measures, as it considers the period up until the early 2030s the “last chance” to reverse the birthrate crisis, the report said.

Preliminary data released by the ministry in August showed that the number of babies born in Japan, including to foreigners, as well as to Japanese citizens residing overseas, fell 5.7 percent from a year earlier to a record low of 350,074 in the January to June period.

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Japan’s falling birth rate is a critical issue affecting the nation’s demographic and economic future. The country has one of the world’s lowest birth rates, with only about 1.3 children per woman, well below the replacement rate of 2.1 needed to sustain the population. As a result, Japan’s population is aging rapidly, with more than 29% of residents over 65, putting immense pressure on healthcare, pensions, and the workforce.

Several factors contribute to the low birth rate, including high living costs, demanding work culture, and limited childcare support. Many young Japanese people delay marriage or choose to remain single due to financial instability, career pressures, and the challenges of balancing work and family. Housing costs, education expenses, and an emphasis on intensive work hours make it difficult for families to consider having more than one child.

The government has attempted to address the issue through policies like paid parental leave, financial support for families, and expanded daycare facilities. However, these efforts have yet to significantly reverse the trend. Without substantial improvements, the declining birth rate could lead to economic stagnation and labor shortages, prompting Japan to consider immigration and further policy innovations to address its shrinking, aging population.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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