Japan's total population declined for the 14th consecutive year in 2024, underscoring the country’s accelerating demographic crisis marked by a shrinking youth population and a growing elderly majority, according to data released Monday by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

As of October 2024, Japan’s population — including both Japanese nationals and foreign residents — stood at 123.8 million, reflecting a decline of 550,000 people or 0.44% from the previous year. The country's population has been in continuous decline since its peak in 2008.

The aging trend remains stark: the proportion of residents aged 65 and older hit a record high of 29.3%, reaching 36.24 million people — an increase of 17,000 from the year before. In contrast, the number of children under 15 years old dropped to a historic low of 13.83 million, or 11.2% of the total population. This younger age group has been steadily decreasing since 1975.

Native Population Shrinks, Foreign Residents Offset Losses

The population of Japanese nationals alone fell more sharply, decreasing by 898,000, bringing the total to 120.3 million. However, Japan recorded a net social increase of 340,000 people, marking the third straight year of growth in that category, entirely driven by an influx of foreign residents. The net social difference is calculated by subtracting the number of people who left Japan from those who entered.

Regional Demographics: Urban Growth vs. Rural Decline

Out of Japan’s 47 prefectures, only Tokyo and Saitama registered population growth. Tokyo led with a 0.66% increase, while Saitama reversed a previous downward trend with a modest 0.01% rise.

The remaining 45 prefectures experienced population decline, with 18 prefectures posting decreases exceeding 1%. Akita (-1.87%), Aomori (-1.66%), and Iwate (-1.57%) were among the hardest hit. Ishikawa Prefecture recorded the sharpest year-on-year population decline, while Fukui was one of nine prefectures that saw their rate of decline slow.

In terms of total population by prefecture, Tokyo remains the most populous with 14.18 million residents, followed by Kanagawa (9.23 million), Osaka (8.76 million), Aichi (7.46 million), and Saitama (7.33 million).

Government Response

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi addressed the demographic data on Monday, reiterating the government’s commitment to tackling the crisis through a combination of pro-natal policies, including increased financial support for child-rearing, wage increases for younger workers, and matchmaking initiatives to encourage marriage and family formation.

“We will continue to promote policies competitively toward the realization of a society in which everyone who wishes to have children can have children and raise them with peace of mind,” Hayashi said.

Despite government efforts, experts warn that reversing Japan’s demographic trajectory will require sustained and comprehensive reforms across multiple sectors, from immigration to education and urban planning. (ILKHA)