Concern as Japan's 2014 birth rate falls to record low
3 Jan BBC
Japan's birth rate slumped to a record low in 2014, health ministry
figures show, dropping to 1,001,000 newborns in 2014 - 9,000 fewer than
in 2013.The fall is the fourth in consecutive years and comes as the
estimated number of deaths continues to rise, at just under 1.3 million
last year. Some estimates say that by 2050 the population could be as
low as 97 million - 30 million lower than now.Experts warn the impact of
the decline will harm Japan in various ways.A lowering of the number of
people aged between 15 to 64 is predicted to lower potential growth and
shrink Japan's GDP.
That in turn is expected to harm the pension system and other
elements of social welfare. The impact in rural areas is predicted to be
especially damaging, putting the very existence of some communities in
danger.
Another decline in the number of children is inevitable as “the
number of reproductive-age women is on the decline”, an official at the
health ministry was quoted by Kyodo News as saying.Government figures in
April revealed that Japan's population shrank for the third year
running, with the elderly comprising 25% of the total for the first
time.
The proportion of people aged 65 or over is predicted to reach nearly
40% of the population in 2060, the government has warned. |