Japan’s elderly population has reached a historic high of 36.25 million, with individuals aged 65 and older now representing nearly one-third of the country’s total population, according to recent government data.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications announced on Sunday that elderly individuals comprise an estimated 29.3 percent of Japan’s population, the highest proportion in any nation with over 100,000 residents. Of the elderly, approximately 20.53 million are women, while 15.72 million are men.
The data also highlights a significant employment trend, with a record 9.14 million elderly people employed last year, making up one in seven workers in the country.
Japan is facing a deepening demographic crisis as a shrinking workforce must shoulder increasing healthcare and welfare costs for the growing elderly population. The nation’s population decreased by 595,000 in the year leading up to October 1, marking the 13th consecutive year of decline.
The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research has projected that by 2040, elderly individuals will account for 34.8 percent of Japan’s population. Additionally, a study from the Recruit Works Institute suggests that Japan may experience a shortage of over 11 million workers by 2040 due to this demographic shift.
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