Proportion Of Children In Japan Continues To Decline As Birth Rates Remain Low

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 08 May 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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A 35-year decline in the proportion of children in Japan's population --- the result of low birth rates and high life expectancies -- could pose numerous problems for the country and its economy if government efforts to increase the number of births are not effective, the AP/Miami Herald reports. According to a report released this week by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the percentage of children younger than age 15 as of April 1 declined to 17 million, or 13% of the 128 million people who live in the country. In contrast, the proportion of people older than age 65 is steadily increasing and now accounts for 22.5% of the country's population. Japan now trails 30 other countries in the proportion of children, including the U.S., where children represent 20% of the population. The Japanese government estimates that the percentage of children in about 12 years will drop to under 11% while the percentage of seniors likely will rise to 29% of the total population.

Government efforts to date have failed to jumpstart the number of births in the country. Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso included as part of recent economic stimulus measures financial support for childbirth programs and expansions of neonatal intensive care units in hospitals (Hosaka, AP/Miami Herald, 5/5).

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