Demographics – Japan Records Another Year of Falling Births and Aging Population

Demographics – Japan’s demographic challenges deepened in 2025 as the number of babies born to Japanese citizens fell to its lowest level on record, according to newly released government statistics. The latest figures underline the country’s continuing struggle with a shrinking population and declining birth rate, despite years of policy efforts aimed at encouraging family growth.

Birth Numbers Reach Historic Low

Data released by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare showed that 671,236 babies were born to Japanese nationals during 2025. This represented a decline of 14,937 births, or 2.2 percent, compared with the previous year. The country’s total fertility rate, which reflects the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime, also slipped to a new record low of 1.14.

Both indicators have now declined for ten consecutive years. While the downward trend continued, officials noted that the pace of decline was slightly less severe than in recent years. Analysts suggest that a relatively stable population of adults aged between 25 and 35, many of whom were born during the 1990s, may have contributed to moderating the drop.

Marriage Figures Show Modest Improvement

In contrast to the decline in births, the number of marriages increased for the second straight year. A total of 489,119 couples married in 2025, offering a potentially positive sign for future family formation.

The average age at marriage also edged lower compared with the previous year. Men married at an average age of 31.0 years, while women married at an average age of 29.7 years, according to the official data.

Population Decline Continues Despite Fewer Deaths

Japan recorded 1,589,489 deaths during the year. Although this marked the first annual decline in deaths in five years, the number remained significantly higher than births.

The gap between deaths and births reached 918,253 people, resulting in another substantial reduction in the country’s overall population. This was the nineteenth consecutive year in which deaths exceeded births, highlighting the long-term demographic imbalance facing the nation.

Child Population Falls to New Record Low

Separate government figures released earlier this year painted a similar picture. As of April 1, Japan’s child population, including foreign residents, was estimated at 13.29 million, down by 350,000 from a year earlier.

The number of children has now decreased for 45 consecutive years, setting another record low. Children under the age of 15 accounted for just 10.8 percent of the total population, a decline of 0.3 percentage points from the previous year. Officials noted that this is the lowest share recorded since comparable statistics began in 1950.

The estimates were calculated using population data derived from Japan’s nationwide census, which is conducted every five years.

Government Faces Growing Demographic Challenge

Successive Japanese governments have introduced a range of measures to address the country’s declining birth rate, including expanded financial assistance for families raising children. However, these efforts have yet to reverse the broader demographic trend.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, authorities have designated the period leading up to 2030 as a crucial window for implementing policies aimed at increasing births and stabilising population levels.

Younger Age Groups Continue to Shrink

The latest figures also reveal a clear decline in younger age groups. Japan’s child population included approximately 6.81 million boys and 6.48 million girls.

Children aged 12 to 14 represented the largest age group, totalling 3.09 million. Meanwhile, only 2.13 million children were aged between zero and two years, reinforcing concerns about the continuing decline in new births and the long-term impact on the country’s workforce and economy.

Japan, already one of the world’s most rapidly aging societies, continues to face significant demographic pressures that will shape its economic and social future in the decades ahead.