Japan’s Fertility Rate Falls to Record Low, Births Drop Below 700,000
Japan’s fertility rate has dropped to its lowest level since records began, as the country continues to face a sharp population decline.
According to new data from the Health Ministry, the fertility rate in 2024 fell to 1.15, down from 1.20 the previous year. This means that, on average, a woman in Japan is expected to have just over one child in her lifetime.
The number of babies born to Japanese nationals also reached a historic low. A total of 686,061 births were recorded last year—41,227 fewer than in 2023. This is the first time the number of births has fallen below 700,000 since Japan began collecting such statistics in 1899, public broadcaster NHK reported.
At the same time, the number of deaths in Japan rose to a record high. The ministry reported 1,605,298 deaths in 2024, an increase of 29,282 compared to the previous year.
As a result, the population decline for 2024 stands at 919,237 people—the largest drop Japan has ever seen in a single year.
Officials say that delayed marriages and later-in-life childbirth are key reasons behind the shrinking fertility rate. With Japan’s total population hovering around 125 million, the continued decline raises concerns about the future of the country’s workforce and social welfare systems.
The government has introduced various measures in recent years to encourage childbirth, including financial support and childcare reforms. However, the latest figures show that reversing the trend remains a major challenge.
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