Japan’s aged population hits record high amid declining birth rates

The Wider Image: Inspired by Olympics debut, Japan's seniors blaze breakdancing trail

Hitomi Oda, 69, a member of Japan's only breakdancing club made up of elderly citizens Ara Style Senior, holds her five-month-old granddaughter Sakura while her grandson Asahi, 3, plays , at her son's house in Tokyo, Japan May 23, 2024. Ara Style senior now compromises about 15 members, and although the moves are far from what will be performed at the Olympics, the team's goal is to have fun and stay fit. "At first I thought, 'There's no way I can breakdance at my age,'" said member Hitomi Oda. "And of course, we can't do anything extreme, but it's fun just to do the easy moves and get the body working." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "HOON BREAKDANCING" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Source: REUTERS

The population of people aged 65 and over in Japan reached a record high of 36.25 million as of September 15, up by 20,000 from the previous year, according to data released by Japan’s Internal Affairs Ministry.

The announcement came ahead of the country’s annual Respect for the Aged Day on September 16, as reported by The Japan Times.

Currently, 29.3% of Japan's total population is aged 65 and above, marking an increase of 0.2 percentage points and setting a new record. This demographic includes 15.72 million men, representing 26.1% of the male population, and 20.53 million women, making up 32.3% of the female population.

Projections by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research estimate that by 2040, this figure will rise to 34.8%, as the second baby boomer generation, born between 1971 and 1974, ages into this group.

Japan, already recognised as having the world's oldest population, has also faced declining birth rates in recent years. In response, the government invested $19 million in 2021 to support local authorities in running or launching projects that use artificial intelligence (AI) to help match individuals and encourage marriages, to boost the birth rate.

In June 2024, it was reported that the Tokyo Metropolitan government plans to introduce a dating app called 'Tokyo Futari Story' later this year to address the country’s demographic challenges.

Japan’s East Asian neighbour, South Korea, is experiencing similar issues with low birth rates and an ageing population. As of June 2024, the average age in South Korea was 44.5 years.

Edward Sakyi