Overview

• Japanese nationals declined by 908,574 in 2024 or 0.75 percent, the steepest annual drop since 1968.
• Births sank to 686,061, marking the lowest figure since 1899 and underscoring persistently low fertility rates.
• Deaths reached nearly 1.6 million, the highest ever recorded, extending a 16-year contraction of the population.
• Nearly 30 percent of citizens are aged 65 or older while working-age adults comprise just 60 percent, amplifying strain on pension and healthcare systems.
• Foreign residents hit a record 3.67 million as of January 1, 2025, providing labor relief but falling short of offsetting national decline.