Japan's preliminary 2025 census shows a historic 2.5% population drop to about 123 million — more than three million fewer than in 2020. The decline is the largest since the census began in 1920 and is over three times the fall seen in the previous five-year period. Births fell for a 10th straight year to 705,809. Policymakers continue to weigh incentives and immigration policy amid concerns about long-term economic and social impacts.
Japan Census: Population Plummets 2.5% in Five Years, Falls to 123 Million
Official data showed that the number of births in Japan fell for the 10th straight year in 2025 (Kazuhiro NOGI)(Kazuhiro NOGI/AFP/AFP)
Japan's population fell by a record 2.5% over five years, the government's preliminary 2025 census released on Friday found, underscoring deepening demographic challenges for the world's fourth-largest economy.
Key Findings
The five-year tally showed Japan's population slipped to about 123 million in 2025 — more than three million fewer people than when the census was last conducted in 2020. This is the largest decline since the modern census began in 1920 and is more than three times the drop recorded between 2015 and 2020.
"The data once again confirmed the population decline in our nation is deepening," said top government spokesman Minoru Kihara.
Births, Ageing and Policy Responses
Official figures also showed the number of births fell for the 10th consecutive year, with 705,809 babies born in 2025. Japan continues to confront a combination of one of the world's lowest birth rates and a rapidly ageing population — trends that pose long-term challenges for the labour market, public finances and social services.
Policy responses to the slowdown have so far had limited effect. Central and local governments have trialled a wide range of incentives to encourage marriage and childbearing — from launching matchmaking apps to raising child-rearing allowances and expanding parental-leave subsidies — but birth rates have continued to decline.
While immigration is often discussed as a way to mitigate population loss, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has publicly advocated tougher measures to restrict the inflow of foreigners, signaling political resistance to large-scale immigration as a solution.
As policymakers debate next steps, the census figures highlight the urgency of addressing demographic shifts that will shape Japan's economy and society for decades.
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