According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, the number of centenarians in the country has surpassed 100,000 for the first time on record, reaching 107,677 individuals as of September 1. The milestone, reported by the ministry on Tuesday, highlights a rapidly aging demographic landscape where approximately 90 percent of those aged 100 or older are women.
Demographic Milestone and Population Aging Data
The new figures arrive ahead of the annual public holiday known as “Respect for the Aged Day,” which takes place the following week. According to records kept since 1963, the population of centenarians has set a new record for 56 years, though crossing the six-figure threshold marks an unprecedented demographic shift for the nation.
Data from the World Bank indicates that Japan currently maintains the second-oldest population globally, trailing only Monaco. The country’s overall medianalder stands at 49.9 years, reflecting a persistent trend of longevity paired with declining birth rates.
Economic Pressure and Falling Fertility Rates
Government figures released in June show that Japan’s fertility rate dropped to yet another record-low level in the previous year.
This deepening demographic crisis creates severe challenges for the world’s fourth-largest economy. The shrinking workforce, combined with an expanding retired population, drives up social security expenditures while simultaneously eroding the national tax base.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many centenarians currently live in Japan?
According to the Ministry of Health, there are 107,677 people aged 100 or older in Japan as of September 1.
What percentage of Japan’s centenarians are women?
Approximately 90 percent of the individuals in Japan’s centenarian population are women, according to government data.
How does Japan’s median age rank globally?
Data from the World Bank places Japan with the second-oldest population in the world, directly behind Monaco, with a median age of 49.9 years.
When did Japan start tracking its centenarian population?
Official record-keeping for Japan’s centenarian population began in 1963.
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