Japan had a record-low number of births last year, according to preliminary data from the government.

Japan's health ministry said on Tuesday that the number of babies born in the country last year totaled 758,631, the lowest since record-keeping began. This was down 5.1 percent from 2022, and a drop for the eighth consecutive year.

Births in Japan jumped during the postwar baby boom from 1947 to 1949. More than 2.69 million babies were born in 1949, marking a record high.

The number then dropped, and surged again during the second baby boom from 1971 to 1974. Births in 1973 topped 2.09 million. But the figure has since been in decline.

The number of births dropped below one million for the first time in 2016.

Japan's National Institute of Population and Social Security Research estimated last year that the number of births would fall below 760,000 in 2035. That has happened more than a decade earlier.

Meanwhile, preliminary data shows that the number of people who died in Japan last year was a record high, at more than 1.59 million.

Health ministry officials expect the number of births to continue to decline, with the younger population shrinking and marrying and having children later.

Another factor is that the number of marriages dropped because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Officials describe the situation as critical and say they will cooperate with relevant government ministries and agencies to take necessary measures.