Japan faces lowest birth rate in 127 years

Japan is projected to experience its lowest birth rate in over a century, with an estimated 667,500 children expected to be born in 2025.

This marks the first time the nation's birth rate has fallen below 700,000, in a lowest birth rate since records began in 1899, Asahi writes. 

The new forecast sharply contrasts with earlier predictions by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, which had anticipated 749,000 births in 2025. This decline in births is part of an ongoing trend that poses significant challenges for the country’s future workforce and economy.

Experts warn that if Japan’s birth rate continues to drop, it could lead to a shrinking labour force, exacerbating existing labour shortages across various sectors. This demographic shift has raised concerns about the country’s economic stability and long-term growth, as fewer young people enter the workforce to support an aging population.

By Sabina Mammadli