Source:
https://scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/2144754/number-japanese-children-declines-37th-year-row-now-record-low
Asia/ East Asia

Number of Japanese children declines for 37th year in a row, now at record low

Among 32 countries with a population of 40 million or more, Japan ranked lowest in terms of the ratio of children to the overall population

Among 32 countries with a population of 40 million or more, Japan ranked lowest in terms of the ratio of children to the overall population. Photo: Handout

The number of children in Japan fell for the 37th consecutive year to a record low, the latest data showed on Friday, indicating efforts by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration to combat the long-running low birth rate challenge are still wanting.

The number of children, including foreigners, fell 170,000 from a year earlier to 15.53 million as of April 1, the lowest level since comparative data became available in 1950, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. A child is defined as a person aged 14 or under.