JAPAN’S FERTILITY RATE DROPS TO RECORD LOW

Fri 06 June 2025:

Japan saw a record low fertility rate last year, dropping to 1.15, down 0.05 points from 2023, government data showed, as the number of babies born has fallen for nine consecutive years in the country.

The births dropped below 700,000 for the first time since statistics were first compiled in 1899, public broadcaster NHK reported, citing the Health Ministry.

According to the ministry, 686,061 babies were born to Japanese nationals in 2024, down 41,227 from the previous year.

The ministry said the number of deaths last year was a record high at 1,605,298, up 29,282 from 2023.

It added the overall population decline stands at 919,237, which is also the largest-ever decrease.

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Delayed marriages and delayed childbirths are major causes of dropping fertility rate—the average number of children a woman bears in her lifetime—in the country of around 125 million.

Japan’s fertility rate, at a record low of 1.15 in 2024, reflects the average number of children a woman is expected to have, far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population.

This decline, ongoing for nine years, stems from economic and cultural factors. High living and education costs, stagnant wages, and job insecurity discourage young people from starting families.

Many face irregular employment, with 40% of the workforce in unstable jobs, impacting marriage prospects. Cultural norms, like rigid gender roles and long work hours, place heavy childcare burdens on women, while corporate cultures often penalize working mothers.

Declining marriage rates—down to 499,999 in 2024—also contribute, as out-of-wedlock births are rare. Government efforts, like subsidies and childcare support, have had limited impact, with projections suggesting a population drop from 123.3 million in 2023 to 87 million by 2070.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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