Japan’s population fell by 550,000 in 2024, marking the 14th straight year of decline and intensifying concerns about its demographic future. Government data showed the total population at 123.8 million, with Japanese nationals dropping by a record 898,000 to 120.3 million.
The working-age population also shrank, while the number of children hit a historic low of 13.8 million, just 11.2% of the total. Officials say the decline is driven by fewer births and growing challenges for families wanting to raise children.
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Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said the government is focused on increasing wages, easing childcare burdens, and offering stronger support for parents. Still, experts warn these steps may fall short without larger policy changes.
While foreign residents rose by over 340,000, immigration remains too limited to offset the broader population decline. Most prefectures saw population losses, with only Tokyo and Saitama recording growth.
