Japan Sees Decrease in Newborns in 2024, Marking 9th Consecutive Year
The Birth Rate in Japan Continues to Decline
According to a report by Kyodo News, the Japan Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has released statistics showing a concerning trend in the country’s birth rates.
In 2024, the number of babies born in Japan decreased by 5% compared to the previous year, dropping to 720,988. This marks the ninth consecutive year of decline in the number of newborns in the country.
Officials attribute this decrease to a variety of factors, including the rising cost of living, concerns about raising children, and a trend towards delaying marriage among young people.
The downward trend in birth rates is not a new phenomenon in Japan. The number of babies born in 2023 had already declined to 758,631, continuing a pattern of decreasing birth rates over the years.
Historically, Japan saw its highest number of newborns in 1949, with 2.69 million births. However, this number steadily declined to 2.09 million in 1973 and further dropped to 1.5 million by 1983.
In a significant development, the number of newborns in Japan fell below 1 million for the first time in 2016. The National Population and Social Security Research Institute has predicted that this trend will continue, with the number of newborns expected to drop below 760,000 by 2035.
In response to the declining birth rate, the Tokyo administration has implemented various measures to address the issue and encourage families to have more children.
The ongoing decrease in birth rates in Japan highlights a growing concern about the country’s demographic challenges and the need for policies to support families and promote population growth.
