Case study of an ageing population: Japan
Background
Japan has a population of 128 million (2010 Census), the 10 th largest in the
world.
Japan has the 3rd largest world economy by GDP.
2015 saw the largest natural decrease recorded, with the number of new-
borns reaching a record low and deaths reaching a post-war high.
22% of the Japanese population are over-65.
Population of country set to decrease by 1/3 within next 40 years.
50,000 people over 100 years old.
By 2030, 1/3 people will be over 65, and 1/5 over 75.
Causes
Population decrease began in 1975 when birth rate went below
replacement level. The current fertility rate is 1.4, needs to be 2.07 to
reach stable target of 100 million.
Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world (84), due to advances in
medication and sanitation.
There is a social divide between men and women; men have little interest
in women, creating a divergent society.
Age of mothers increasing (31 considered young).
Economic stagnation has meant that many men and women prioritise
work over families and relationships.
‘Herbivore men’ / otaku culture – both have led to social isolation.
Fewer Japanese getting married (2% born outside marriages in UK, 50% in
Japan).
Migration not a viable solution due to strict migration quota. Japan is a
homogenous society, 98.5% of the population are of Japanese ethnicity,
and only 1/60 is born outside Japan, compared to 1/8 in the UK.
Spending on births equivalent to 1% of GDP.
Impacts:
Workforce diminishing: by 2025, dependency ratio is set to be 2
dependents for every 3 workers.
Top-heavy, inverted population pyramid
A lack of tax workers means that country is unable to get rid of $7 trillion
debt.
Huge pensions mean that money is reinvested into the Japanese economy
– grey pound.
Adult nappies outsell regular ones.
Spending on over 65s (housing, pensions, healthcare, social care) is 2.5x
Japan’s GDP – unsustainable.
65-70% of mothers are out of workforce. Japan ranked 105/136 on 2013
Gender Gap Report.
Background
Japan has a population of 128 million (2010 Census), the 10 th largest in the
world.
Japan has the 3rd largest world economy by GDP.
2015 saw the largest natural decrease recorded, with the number of new-
borns reaching a record low and deaths reaching a post-war high.
22% of the Japanese population are over-65.
Population of country set to decrease by 1/3 within next 40 years.
50,000 people over 100 years old.
By 2030, 1/3 people will be over 65, and 1/5 over 75.
Causes
Population decrease began in 1975 when birth rate went below
replacement level. The current fertility rate is 1.4, needs to be 2.07 to
reach stable target of 100 million.
Japan has the highest life expectancy in the world (84), due to advances in
medication and sanitation.
There is a social divide between men and women; men have little interest
in women, creating a divergent society.
Age of mothers increasing (31 considered young).
Economic stagnation has meant that many men and women prioritise
work over families and relationships.
‘Herbivore men’ / otaku culture – both have led to social isolation.
Fewer Japanese getting married (2% born outside marriages in UK, 50% in
Japan).
Migration not a viable solution due to strict migration quota. Japan is a
homogenous society, 98.5% of the population are of Japanese ethnicity,
and only 1/60 is born outside Japan, compared to 1/8 in the UK.
Spending on births equivalent to 1% of GDP.
Impacts:
Workforce diminishing: by 2025, dependency ratio is set to be 2
dependents for every 3 workers.
Top-heavy, inverted population pyramid
A lack of tax workers means that country is unable to get rid of $7 trillion
debt.
Huge pensions mean that money is reinvested into the Japanese economy
– grey pound.
Adult nappies outsell regular ones.
Spending on over 65s (housing, pensions, healthcare, social care) is 2.5x
Japan’s GDP – unsustainable.
65-70% of mothers are out of workforce. Japan ranked 105/136 on 2013
Gender Gap Report.
