According to population estimates released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on April 14, 2025, Japan’s total population stands at 123.802 million, marking a decrease of 550,000 people (−0.44%) from the previous year. This is the 14th consecutive year of population decline.
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Details of the News
Japan’s population is shrinking, and the number of Japanese people has been falling faster for 13 years in a row. As of now, the total population is about 123.8 million. That’s 550,000 fewer people than last year—a 0.44% drop—and it marks the 14th straight year of overall decline.
Looking at natural population change (births minus deaths), the number dropped by 890,000. This natural decline has continued for 18 years, and the drop is getting larger.
Both men and women are decreasing in number. The male population fell by 453,000 and the female population by 437,000.
The number of children under 15 years old is now 13.83 million, down 343,000 from last year. Children now make up only 11.2% of the population—the lowest percentage ever recorded.
Source: Statistics Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
