TOKYO, Japan: Japan saw its number of births drop for the tenth year in a row in 2025, according to preliminary figures released Thursday by the health ministry.
A total of 705,809 babies were born, representing a 2.1 percent decrease compared with 2024.
The statistics cover births within Japan to both Japanese citizens and foreigners, as well as children born abroad to Japanese nationals, according to AFP.
Japan world’s fourth-largest economy
Japan, the world’s fourth-largest economy, continues to face one of the lowest fertility rates globally, accompanied by a shrinking population.
This demographic trend is creating significant challenges, including labor shortages, rising social security costs, and fewer taxpayers contributing to the economy.
These pressures are worsening the country’s already massive national debt, which is the highest among major economies.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female leader, has repeatedly pledged to boost the birth rate, but results have been limited.
“The falling birth rate and declining population represent a silent crisis that will gradually weaken our nation’s vitality,” Takaichi told parliament last week.
Her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured a two-thirds majority in the February 8 snap elections.
While increasing immigration could alleviate some of the population and labor issues, Takaichi – under pressure from the nationalist Sanseito party – has promised stricter immigration policies.
