Fertility Rate in Japan Falls to Record Low
The fertility rate in Japan has declined for the ninth consecutive year in 2024, reaching a historical low, highlighting the tremendous challenge the government faces in reversing this trend in one of the world’s most aging societies.
A statement released by Japan’s Ministry of Health on Wednesday revealed that the total fertility rate, indicating the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her reproductive years, dropped to 1.15 in 2024, compared to 1.20 in 2023; the lowest level recorded since this data began being collected in 1947, according to Bloomberg News.
This trend is particularly evident in the capital, Tokyo, where the fertility rate fell below 1 for the second year in a row.
The total number of births in Japan fell to about 686,000 in 2024, marking the first time this figure has dropped below 700,000.
The total number of deaths reached approximately 1.61 million in 2024, leading to a population decline of about 919,000, extending the annual decrease in the country’s population to 18 years.
These figures, which do not account for immigration, underscore the importance of the government’s recent efforts to boost fertility rates.
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has launched a series of policies aimed at easing the financial burden on families, including expanding child-related subsidies and waiving tuition fees for secondary education.
The Japanese government has also ensured full wage compensation for some couples taking parental leave and improved working conditions for those in childcare and nursing sectors.
