Japan's New Births Fall To Record Low In 2024, A Deep Dive

Japan's New Births Fall to Record Low in 2024

Japan is facing a demographic crisis as its birth rate continues to decline. In 2024, the number of babies born reached a record low, marking the ninth consecutive year of decline. This trend highlights the rapid aging and dwindling population of the country.

Key Findings:

• Record Low Births: Only 720,988 babies were born in Japan in 2024.
• Continuous Decline: This is the ninth consecutive year of declining birth rates.
• Rising Deaths: A record 1.62 million deaths were recorded, meaning more than two people died for every baby born.

Factors Contributing to the Decline:

Several factors contribute to Japan's declining birth rate:

• Fewer Marriages: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to fewer marriages in recent years.
• Correlation Between Marriages and Births: Unlike some Western countries, Japan sees a stronger link between marriages and births, with few babies born out of wedlock.

Government Measures and Their Impact:

Despite efforts by the government to encourage child-bearing, the birth rate has not shown an upturn.

Comparison with South Korea:

In contrast to Japan, South Korea's fertility rate rose in 2024 for the first time in nine years. This increase is attributed to measures aimed at encouraging young people to marry and have children.

Expert Opinions:

Takumi Fujinami, an economist at the Japan Research Institute, suggests that the decline in marriages due to the pandemic may continue to impact birth rates in 2025.

Recommendations:

Experts emphasize the importance of improving job opportunities and closing the gender gap to encourage young people to marry and have children.

Table: Fertility Rates in Japan and South Korea

Related Topics:

• Japan
• Birth rate
• Ageing population
• Declining birth rate