Japan’s Birthrate Drops to Historic Low

Births in Japan hit another record low in 2024, marking the ninth consecutive year of decline as young people delay marriage and the elderly population continues to grow, according to government data released on Thursday, February 27.

The latest figures underscore the severe demographic challenges facing the world’s fourth-largest economy, where a shrinking workforce is increasingly burdened with the costs of supporting a rapidly aging population.

In 2024, a total of 720,988 babies were born in Japan, including those born to foreign nationals, representing a five percent drop from the 758,631 births recorded in 2023, according to preliminary data from the health ministry.

The number of births in Japan has dropped to its lowest level since record-keeping began in 1899, while deaths have more than doubled the number of births. In 2024, deaths rose by 1.8 percent from the previous year, reaching 1.62 million.

Japan’s total population now stands at 123.54 million, reflecting a 0.46 percent decline from the previous year, according to the internal affairs ministry.

This downward trend in birth rates contrasts with neighboring South Korea, where newly released data shows a rise in the number of births per 1,000 people in 2024—the first increase in over a decade.

Japan’s birth rate last peaked at 2.1 million in 1973. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has stressed that tackling the population crisis remains a top priority.

However, factors such as high education costs, a sluggish economy, and shifting lifestyle preferences have discouraged many young people from having children.