Japan's Falling Birth Rate Unabated: Newborns Hit Record Low of 670,000
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that the number of Japanese newborns in 2025 was approximately 670,000, the lowest since records began in 1899. The total fertility rate fell to 1.14, also a record low. Tokyo's fertility rate was 0.96, below 1 for the third consecutive year. The decline is occurring about 15 years faster than official projections. The government has established a 'Population Strategy Headquarters' and passed a law to make childbirth free by 2028, but rising prices threaten to worsen the crisis.
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 19:55
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(CNA, Tokyo, June 3, Combined Foreign Reports) According to the latest statistics from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of Japanese newborns in 2025 was approximately 670,000, marking the 10th consecutive year of decline and the lowest figure since records began in 1899.
According to reports from NHK and the Sankei Shimbun, the statistics show that Japan's total fertility rate for 2025 was 1.14, the lowest since records began in 1947. The total fertility rate for Tokyo was 0.96, falling below the '1' threshold for the third consecutive year.
The total fertility rate (TFR) represents the average number of children a woman would bear in her lifetime and is considered a key indicator of a country's development stage and social structure.
Three years ago, the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research predicted that the number of Japanese births would not fall to around 670,000 until 2040. However, the current data shows that the pace of the declining birthrate has accelerated, reaching that level nearly 15 years earlier than projected.
Among prefectures, Tokyo recorded the lowest fertility rate at 0.96, followed by Hokkaido and Miyagi Prefecture, both at 1.0. The highest rate was in Okinawa Prefecture at 1.52, followed by Miyazaki Prefecture at 1.46 and Fukui Prefecture at 1.45. The overall trend shows a pattern of lower rates in eastern Japan and higher rates in western Japan.
In terms of deaths, the number of deaths in 2025 was 1,589,489, a decrease of 15,889 from the previous year, marking the first decline in five years. Nevertheless, the 'natural decrease' (deaths exceeding births) amounted to 918,253, marking the 19th consecutive year of population decline.
Regarding marriage, the number of marriages in 2025 was 489,119, an increase of 4,027 from the previous year. The number of divorces was 179,068, a decrease of 6,836 from the previous year.
In response, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare stated, 'Although the rate of decline in the number of births has slowed in recent years, the situation where the declining birthrate cannot be stopped remains severe. We will continue to promote policies to increase the income of the younger generation and support families in balancing work and childcare.'
However, the data also shows an increase in the number of births among women aged 30-34. While other age groups are all declining, the rate of decline has slowed compared to the previous year. On a prefectural basis, 13 prefectures, including Ishikawa and Kochi, saw a slight increase in their fertility rates.
The Sankei Shimbun analyzed that the key to whether this trend of recovery can expand lies in the government's ability to accelerate policy implementation. It noted that recent price increases due to factors like the worsening situation in the Middle East are increasing the burden of living expenses on the public, which could further exacerbate the declining birthrate crisis.
The report mentioned that Prime Minister Takako Sata established the 'Population Strategy Headquarters' in November 2024, demonstrating a stance of strengthening leadership in social security policy. The amendment to the Health Insurance Act passed by the government on May 29, 2025, includes a system to make childbirth free of charge, scheduled to be implemented around June 2028. Analysts suggest that if the Japanese government wants to reverse the trend of the declining birthrate, it will need to further expand welfare measures. (Translated by Li Jing / Edited by Yang Zhaoyan) 1150603
According to reports from NHK and the Sankei Shimbun, the statistics show that Japan's total fertility rate for 2025 was 1.14, the lowest since records began in 1947. The total fertility rate for Tokyo was 0.96, falling below the '1' threshold for the third consecutive year.
The total fertility rate (TFR) represents the average number of children a woman would bear in her lifetime and is considered a key indicator of a country's development stage and social structure.
Three years ago, the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research predicted that the number of Japanese births would not fall to around 670,000 until 2040. However, the current data shows that the pace of the declining birthrate has accelerated, reaching that level nearly 15 years earlier than projected.
Among prefectures, Tokyo recorded the lowest fertility rate at 0.96, followed by Hokkaido and Miyagi Prefecture, both at 1.0. The highest rate was in Okinawa Prefecture at 1.52, followed by Miyazaki Prefecture at 1.46 and Fukui Prefecture at 1.45. The overall trend shows a pattern of lower rates in eastern Japan and higher rates in western Japan.
In terms of deaths, the number of deaths in 2025 was 1,589,489, a decrease of 15,889 from the previous year, marking the first decline in five years. Nevertheless, the 'natural decrease' (deaths exceeding births) amounted to 918,253, marking the 19th consecutive year of population decline.
Regarding marriage, the number of marriages in 2025 was 489,119, an increase of 4,027 from the previous year. The number of divorces was 179,068, a decrease of 6,836 from the previous year.
In response, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare stated, 'Although the rate of decline in the number of births has slowed in recent years, the situation where the declining birthrate cannot be stopped remains severe. We will continue to promote policies to increase the income of the younger generation and support families in balancing work and childcare.'
However, the data also shows an increase in the number of births among women aged 30-34. While other age groups are all declining, the rate of decline has slowed compared to the previous year. On a prefectural basis, 13 prefectures, including Ishikawa and Kochi, saw a slight increase in their fertility rates.
The Sankei Shimbun analyzed that the key to whether this trend of recovery can expand lies in the government's ability to accelerate policy implementation. It noted that recent price increases due to factors like the worsening situation in the Middle East are increasing the burden of living expenses on the public, which could further exacerbate the declining birthrate crisis.
The report mentioned that Prime Minister Takako Sata established the 'Population Strategy Headquarters' in November 2024, demonstrating a stance of strengthening leadership in social security policy. The amendment to the Health Insurance Act passed by the government on May 29, 2025, includes a system to make childbirth free of charge, scheduled to be implemented around June 2028. Analysts suggest that if the Japanese government wants to reverse the trend of the declining birthrate, it will need to further expand welfare measures. (Translated by Li Jing / Edited by Yang Zhaoyan) 1150603
FAQ
What was the number of births in Japan in 2025?
The number of Japanese newborns in 2025 was approximately 670,000, the lowest since records began in 1899.
What is Japan's latest total fertility rate?
Japan's total fertility rate for 2025 was 1.14, the lowest since records began in 1947.
How is the Japanese government responding to the declining birthrate?
The government established a 'Population Strategy Headquarters' in November 2024 and passed a health insurance law amendment in May 2025 to make childbirth free from 2028.