TOKYO, May 4 — Japan's child population has shrunk to an estimated 13.29 million as of April 1, down 350,000 from a year earlier and marking a new record low, the government said today.
Kyodo News reported that the ratio of children under 15 dropped 0.3 percentage points to 10.8 per cent of the total population, also the lowest since comparable data became available in 1950.
Based on the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry's data released ahead of tomorrow's national Children's Day holiday, the figures, including foreign residents, were calculated using population estimates derived from a national census conducted every five years.
While the government has prioritised measures to address the declining birthrate and designated the period through 2030 as a "final opportunity to reverse the trend", the decline has continued for 45 years despite steps such as expanding financial support for child-rearing households.
By gender, there were 6.81 million boys and 6.48 million girls. By age, 3.09 million children were 12 to 14, whereas 2.13 million were zero to two, indicating a trend of fewer children being born.
The Health, Labour, and Welfare Ministry's preliminary data revealed that the number of children, including foreigners, born in Japan in 2025 hit a record low of 705,809, marking the 10th consecutive year of decline.
Japan's child population has been declining since 1982, after peaking in 1954 at 29.89 million, while a second baby boom occurred between 1971 and 1974.
The ratio of children has also been falling for the 52nd consecutive year since 1975.
According to a United Nations survey conducted at different times, Japan has the second-lowest child population ratio among 38 nations with populations of at least 40 million, with South Korea recording the lowest at 10.2 per cent.
