OVERVIEW OF POPULATION GROWTH IN JAPAN
Japan has a birth rate of 1.41 children per woman, lower than the 2.1 children needed to maintain a stable population. This birth rate has since then maintained as one of the world's lowest birth rates. Compared to the 24 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Japan surpasses all in life expectancy at birth and also has the lowest infant mortality rate.
The number of people over 65 years old now make up one-fourth of the entire population in Japan, as postwar baby boomers age and are now part of this aging population. From 1935 to 1936, life expectancy was rather low, at 46.92 years for males and 49.63 for females. This increased to 50.06 and 53.96 years respectively in 1947, which was considered young as opposed to expectancies in other countries. However, it underwent a rapid increase in 1950, to 60 years old for both females and males, to 86.2 years in recent years. This is posing a problem to the economy, having to face problems in financing in its aging society. According to the Population Reference Bureau, that is the highest proportion in the world.
As a result of the large number of elderly, Japan's debt has swelled to more than twice of her economic output, partially thanks to increasing health and security costs associated with the aging population. Healthcare expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) has increased from 8.2 percent in 2006 to an estimated 10.3 percent in 2012. Apart from increasing sales tax to 8%, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seeking to encourage more women into the workforce to boost the economy. The government is also considering loosening restrictions on immigration.
Looking on the bright side, Japan surpasses all 24 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in life expectancy at birth and also has the lowest infant mortality rate. It achieves these successes at a cost of only 10.3 percent of GDP, far lower than the 16.9 percent in the US.
The number of people over 65 years old now make up one-fourth of the entire population in Japan, as postwar baby boomers age and are now part of this aging population. From 1935 to 1936, life expectancy was rather low, at 46.92 years for males and 49.63 for females. This increased to 50.06 and 53.96 years respectively in 1947, which was considered young as opposed to expectancies in other countries. However, it underwent a rapid increase in 1950, to 60 years old for both females and males, to 86.2 years in recent years. This is posing a problem to the economy, having to face problems in financing in its aging society. According to the Population Reference Bureau, that is the highest proportion in the world.
As a result of the large number of elderly, Japan's debt has swelled to more than twice of her economic output, partially thanks to increasing health and security costs associated with the aging population. Healthcare expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) has increased from 8.2 percent in 2006 to an estimated 10.3 percent in 2012. Apart from increasing sales tax to 8%, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seeking to encourage more women into the workforce to boost the economy. The government is also considering loosening restrictions on immigration.
Looking on the bright side, Japan surpasses all 24 member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in life expectancy at birth and also has the lowest infant mortality rate. It achieves these successes at a cost of only 10.3 percent of GDP, far lower than the 16.9 percent in the US.
TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT AGE DEMOGRAPHICS IN JAPAN
![Picture](/uploads/5/0/3/0/50300393/974543879.png?457)
This is Japan's population pyramid as of 1975. Here are some features of this population pyramid.
Firstly, this population pyramid has a rather broad base. This is suggestive of a relatively high birth rate. There is a large number of 25 to 30 year olds, which means that the workforce was pretty large.
Also, there is a narrow apex. Together, this population pyramid is indicative of a large working population to support both the elderly and young.
Firstly, this population pyramid has a rather broad base. This is suggestive of a relatively high birth rate. There is a large number of 25 to 30 year olds, which means that the workforce was pretty large.
Also, there is a narrow apex. Together, this population pyramid is indicative of a large working population to support both the elderly and young.
![Picture](/uploads/5/0/3/0/50300393/181892214.png?468)
Now, take a look at Japan's pyramid as of 2010. At first glance, it is obvious that it is vastly different from the population pyramid 35 years ago.
The population pyramid of Japan has a narrow base, suggestive of a low birth rate. There is also higher life expectancy, with quite a number of males and females living up to almost 100 years old. This is because Japan has developed over the years - she is now a first-world country with high levels of income. As a result, people are able to provide better nutrition and do not suffer from food shortages. Hence, there is a lower death rate due to starvation.
Thus, there is a high dependency ratio - many elderly and young have to depend on the less number of working adults. From here, it is clear that Japan is facing an aging population.
An aging population, coupled with a shrinking workforce, can result in many problems. For example, a population made up of mostly elderly will mean that there is a need for more medical facilities, as the aged are more prone to diseases which require treatment. As medical facilities become increasingly advanced and expensive, a lot of money is put into providing health care for the increasing elderly population. Thus, a greater strain is placed on the economy, which means that the economy needs a huge boost to compensate for the increased costs.
The population pyramid of Japan has a narrow base, suggestive of a low birth rate. There is also higher life expectancy, with quite a number of males and females living up to almost 100 years old. This is because Japan has developed over the years - she is now a first-world country with high levels of income. As a result, people are able to provide better nutrition and do not suffer from food shortages. Hence, there is a lower death rate due to starvation.
Thus, there is a high dependency ratio - many elderly and young have to depend on the less number of working adults. From here, it is clear that Japan is facing an aging population.
An aging population, coupled with a shrinking workforce, can result in many problems. For example, a population made up of mostly elderly will mean that there is a need for more medical facilities, as the aged are more prone to diseases which require treatment. As medical facilities become increasingly advanced and expensive, a lot of money is put into providing health care for the increasing elderly population. Thus, a greater strain is placed on the economy, which means that the economy needs a huge boost to compensate for the increased costs.
![Picture](/uploads/5/0/3/0/50300393/2707092.png?561)
Japan is indeed facing an aging population. This table which shows trends in life expectancy shows life expectancy increasing for both genders over the years. Also, Japan's birth rates are not increasing - in fact, the numbers are dropping.