What Percentage of Japan's Population is 65 or Older?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Japan's elderly population is on the rise, now constituting 29.4% of the total population. Discover the implications of this demographic shift, including employment trends and future projections. With Respect for the Aged Day approaching, this article sheds light on the growing significance of the aging population in Japan.
Key Takeaways
- 36.19 million people aged 65 and older in Japan.
- 29.4% of the total population are aged 65 or above.
- Employment among seniors has reached a record high.
- Projected increase to 34.8% by 2040.
- Majority of elderly workers are in temporary positions.
Tokyo, Sep 15 (NationPress) The population of individuals aged 65 years or older in Japan has reached 36.19 million as of Monday, reflecting a decrease of 50,000 from the previous year, according to local media reports citing Japan's Internal Affairs Ministry.
The released estimates indicate this decline marks the first reduction in two years, while simultaneously accounting for a historic 29.4 per cent of Japan's entire population, which has seen an increase of 0.1 percentage point, as reported by The Japan Times. This data was shared just prior to Respect for the Aged Day.
The Ministry attributes this population decline to factors such as the number of deaths among those aged 65 and older surpassing the number of individuals reaching that age.
Among the elderly, the estimated male population aged 65 and above is 15.68 million, constituting 26.2 per cent of the total male demographic, while the estimated female population is 20.51 million, representing 32.4 per cent of the female demographic.
Year-on-year growth in the proportion of the elderly within the total population is evident. According to projections by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, this figure is expected to reach 34.8 per cent by 2040, coinciding with the cohort born between 1971 and 1974 turning 65.
In 2024, around 9.3 million individuals aged 65 and above were employed, marking the 21st consecutive year of growth and hitting a record high. Among the employed elderly, they constituted 25.7 per cent, reflecting an increase of 0.5 percentage point, as reported by The Japan Times.
Of the employed elderly, those working in the wholesale and retail sectors represented the largest group at 1.33 million, followed by 1.15 million in the medical and welfare fields and 1.04 million in the services sector.
The total workforce aged 65 and over, excluding executives from companies and organizations, was approximately 5.63 million. Notably, 4.33 million of these workers were in temporary positions, making up 76.9 per cent of the total.
Point of View
It's important to acknowledge that the rising proportion of Japan's elderly population presents both challenges and opportunities. This demographic shift requires careful consideration in policy-making and societal support systems. NationPress stands committed to highlighting these critical issues as Japan navigates its future with an aging society.
NationPress
15/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current percentage of Japan's population aged 65 and older?
As of the latest data, individuals aged 65 years or older account for 29.4 percent of Japan's total population.
How many people aged 65 and older are there in Japan?
Japan has approximately 36.19 million individuals aged 65 years or older.
What factors contributed to the decline in Japan's elderly population?
The decrease is attributed to the number of deaths among those aged 65 or older exceeding the number of individuals newly turning 65.
What percentage of the elderly population is employed?
Approximately 25.7 percent of individuals aged 65 and above are employed.
What sectors employ the most elderly workers in Japan?
The wholesale and retail sectors employ the largest group of elderly workers, followed by medical and welfare sectors.
