Japan's birth rate reaches historical low
Japan's birth rate reaches historical low
Tokio, Japan-according to the current government data published on Wednesday, the number of newborns in Japan faster than originally Suppose . In 2024, the number of annual births fell to another record low of 686,061 children, which corresponds to a decline of 5.7 % compared to the previous year. This is the first time that the number of newborns has fallen below 700,000 since the beginning of the records in 1899. It is the 16th year in a row with a decline.
historical decline in the number of births
The number of new birth corresponds to about a quarter of the height of 2.7 million births in 1949 during the post -war baby boom. These worrying data come from a country with a . Experts express concerns about economic sustainability and national security, especially in view of the efforts to increase defense expenditure.
political reactions to the demographic crisis
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba described the situation as a "silent emergency" and promised to promote a more flexible work environment and to take other measures that are intended to help married couples to better reconcile work and parenthood. This applies in particular in rural areas where family values tend to be more conservative and more pressure on women is exerted.
global trends in the birth rate
Japan is not the only East Asian country, which with fight. South Korea and China have taken measures for years to encourage families to get more children. Vietnam has also recently abolished decades -old laws to restrict families to two children to stop the falling birth rates.
fertility rate and social challenges
The latest data from the Ministry of Health show that the fertility rate of Japan - the average number of children that a woman gave birth to in her life - dropped to a new low of 1.15 in 2024 after she was 1.2 in the previous year. The number of marriages rose slightly to 485,063 couples, but the declining trend has remained unchanged since the 1970s.
obstacles for young couples
experts believe that the government's measures do not respond enough to the growing number of young people who are hesitant. Many young people postpone their decision to get married or children, to the dark job perspectives, the high cost of living and a gender -discriminatory corporate culture that brings additional burdens for women and working mothers.
social norms and marriage pressure
A growing proportion of women names the pressure to accept the husband's last name as the reason for their reluctance to marriage. According to Japanese law, couples have to choose a common surname on marriage.
forecasts for the future
Japan has a population of around 124 million people who could decrease to 87 million by 2070, with 40 % of the population being over 65.
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