Japan: Birthrate Plummeted from 1.26 to 1.20 in 2023
Japan: Birthrate Plummeted from 1.26 to 1.20 in 2023
Japan's birthrate crisis reached a new level of severity in 2023, with births plummeting to a distressing record low of 727,000, as the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported.
By the numbers:
The fertility rate dropped to 1.20, down from 1.26 in 2022.
The 8th consecutive year of decline and the lowest level since statistics began in 1947.
Tokyo had the lowest fertility rate at 0.99, while Okinawa had the highest at 1.60.
Between the lines: The declining marriage rate and the increasing age at first marriage for both men (31.1) and women (29.7) are contributing factors to the birthrate crisis.
The government warns that the 2030s, when the second baby boomer generation's population will rapidly decrease, is the last chance to curb the declining birthrate.
New legislation aims to address the declining birthrate
On June 5th, the government passed a bill to address the issue.
Key provisions:
Expanding child allowance eligibility to include high school-age children and eliminating income restrictions.
Doubling the payment amount for the third and subsequent children to 30,000 yen per month.
Introducing a nationwide "universal childcare system" from April 2026.
Yes, but: Measures will take time to implement, especially in childcare. Other factors, such as work hours, long commutes, a rising percentage of contractors, etc., are accelerating the decline. Countries and smaller governments (including several cities and towns in Japan!) have stabilized or reversed the fertility rate decline through constant and consistent efforts that the national government simply isn't making.