Thu Feb 27 15:58:56 UTC 2025: ## Japan’s Birthrate Plunges to Record Low
**Tokyo, Japan –** Japan’s birthrate has plummeted to a record low in 2024, marking the ninth consecutive year of decline, according to government data released Thursday. Only 720,988 babies were born, a five percent drop from 2023 and the lowest number since record-keeping began in 1899. This dramatic fall highlights the severe demographic challenges facing the world’s fourth-largest economy.
The decline is significantly outpaced by the rise in deaths, which increased by 1.8 percent to 1.62 million in 2024, more than double the number of births. Japan’s overall population has also decreased by 0.46 percent in the past year, reaching 123.54 million. This stark contrast with South Korea, which saw a rise in its birthrate for the first time in over a decade, further emphasizes the gravity of Japan’s situation.
The shrinking workforce is struggling to support the burgeoning elderly population, creating immense economic and social strain. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has identified tackling this population crisis as a top priority. However, high education costs, economic stagnation, and shifting lifestyles continue to discourage young people from forming families. The peak birthrate in Japan was 2.1 million in 1973.
First Piper 