Japan's Birth Rate Declines for 10th Consecutive Year

Japan's birth rate has declined for the 10th consecutive year, with preliminary data from the Health Ministry indicating that 705,809 babies were born in 2025, a decrease of 2.1% from the previous year. The number of marriages also fell to 505,656 couples, a 1.1% decrease, while divorces decreased by 3.7% to 182,969 cases.

The overall population of Japan is estimated at 122.86 million, down 0.47% from the previous year. Prime Minister Sana Takaichi, the first woman to hold this position, has acknowledged the challenges posed by Japan's low birth rate, which contributes to labor shortages and a growing social security burden.

Takaichi's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) recently won a two-thirds majority in a snap election held on February 8, 2025, and she has promised to implement measures to increase birth rates and support families. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki emphasized the importance of achieving a strong economy to address these demographic issues.