Japan’s new births fall to record low in 2023 as demographic woes deepen
In 2023, Japan recorded its lowest number of new births, continuing an eight-year decline and exacerbating the country's demographic challenges.
Births dropped by 5.1% to 758,631, and marriages decreased by 5.9% to 489,281, falling under half a million for the first time in 90 years, signaling a potential further fall in population. Childbirth outside of marriage is uncommon in Japan.
In response to the data, Japan's government pledged to implement comprehensive measures, including increased childcare support and advocating for higher wages for the younger workforce, to address the urgent issue of the declining birthrate.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized the critical nature of the issue, suggesting that Japan has approximately six years to reverse the trend before a more rapid decrease in young people occurs.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has described the demographic decline as Japan's most severe crisis and has revealed initiatives to help families with children.
Projections by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research indicate that by 2070, Japan's population could decline by 30% to 87 million, with 40% of the population being 65 or older.
In response to the data, Japan's government pledged to implement comprehensive measures, including increased childcare support and advocating for higher wages for the younger workforce, to address the urgent issue of the declining birthrate.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi emphasized the critical nature of the issue, suggesting that Japan has approximately six years to reverse the trend before a more rapid decrease in young people occurs.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has described the demographic decline as Japan's most severe crisis and has revealed initiatives to help families with children.
Projections by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research indicate that by 2070, Japan's population could decline by 30% to 87 million, with 40% of the population being 65 or older.
