The number of babies born in Japan fell below 800,000 last year for the first time since record-keeping began more than 120 years ago.
The health and welfare ministry says a preliminary figure shows that 799,728 babies, including foreign nationals, were born in Japan in 2022. The number is down 43,169, or 5.1 percent, from 2021, for a seventh straight year of decline.
The government began compiling such figures in 1899.
The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research forecast in 2017 that births would not fall below 800,000 until 2030. The latest figure indicates that Japan's birthrate has been falling faster than expected.
Health ministry officials said the situation can be described as a crisis that could change the basis of society and the economy.
They said the fall in births appears to have resulted from a combination of factors preventing young people from getting married, having babies and raising children.
The officials said they will work with relevant ministries and agencies to take measures.
The health and welfare ministry says a preliminary figure shows that 799,728 babies, including foreign nationals, were born in Japan in 2022. The number is down 43,169, or 5.1 percent, from 2021, for a seventh straight year of decline.
The government began compiling such figures in 1899.
The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research forecast in 2017 that births would not fall below 800,000 until 2030. The latest figure indicates that Japan's birthrate has been falling faster than expected.
Health ministry officials said the situation can be described as a crisis that could change the basis of society and the economy.
They said the fall in births appears to have resulted from a combination of factors preventing young people from getting married, having babies and raising children.
The officials said they will work with relevant ministries and agencies to take measures.
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Summary
In 2022, the number of births in Japan fell below 800,000 for the first time since record-keeping began in 1899, marking a seventh consecutive year of decline. The preliminary figure shows 799,728 babies were born, a decrease of 5.1% from 2021. This rapid fall is faster than the government's 2017
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ID: aab520da-7708-49f0-bbb3-aab2bc805fca
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230228_33/
Date: Feb. 28, 2023
Created: 2023/03/01 07:32
Updated: 2025/12/09 06:52
Last Read: 2023/03/01 10:56