Japan experienced its steepest population drop in over seven decades in 2024, highlighting the nation’s worsening demographic crisis. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan’s total population fell by 550,000 to 123.8 million by October 2024. The number of Japanese nationals alone plummeted by a record 898,000 to 120.3 million—the largest native population decline since official tracking began in 1950.
The dramatic fall is attributed to a historic drop in birth rates and a shrinking working-age population, raising alarms about Japan’s economic sustainability, labor force, and social welfare systems. The working-age demographic (ages 15–64) declined by 224,000 to 73.7 million, while the child population (under 15) dropped by 343,000 to just 13.8 million, representing a record low of 11.2% of the total population.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi acknowledged the gravity of the issue, stating that many citizens are unable to raise children despite their desire to do so. He emphasized the government’s commitment to easing childcare burdens, increasing wages, and providing stronger financial incentives to support young families.
Although Japan’s foreign resident population rose for the third consecutive year by 342,000, it wasn’t enough to counterbalance the overall decline. Since peaking in 2008, Japan’s population has been in steady decline. Only Tokyo and Saitama prefectures saw population increases in 2024, while 45 others, including Akita, experienced sharp declines.
With one of the lowest unemployment rates in the OECD at 2.4%, Japan is projected to face a labor shortage of 11 million workers by 2040, according to Recruit Works Institute. Despite allocating ¥3.5 trillion (approx. $25 billion) annually to support parenting and childcare, experts say structural reforms are essential to reverse the country’s demographic trajectory.
Japan’s situation mirrors broader global trends in developed countries like South Korea, France, and China—nations grappling with falling birthrates and rapidly aging populations.
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