Japan
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Japan's demographic figures for 2024 reveal a slight decline in total maternal rate and births alongside a modest rise in average maternal age and lifetime childlessness rate. The total fertility gap remains notably high, reflecting lingering generational birth disparities, while family size trends show a slight increase in one- and two-child households.
- Total maternal rate decreased from 56.6% in 2023 to 54.9% in 2024, continuing a downward trend over recent years.
- Total births fell by 40,988 to 686,173, reinforcing Japan's ongoing population aging concerns.
- Average maternal age climbed slightly to 30.9 years, now over five years higher than in the 1970s, indicating delayed childbearing.
- Lifetime childlessness rose to 45.1%, placing Japan among countries with the highest rates of childless women globally.
In 2024, Japan shows a continuation of long-term demographic shifts including low fertility, rising childlessness, and increasing maternal age.
- Total maternal rate among lowest globally, ranked 32/38 countries
- Children per mother stable near global average, ranked 17/38
- Average maternal age rising, ranked 11/38 globally
- High childlessness rate and generational birthgap, ranked 7/38 globally
- Strong birth rate increase relative to past, ranked 2/35 globally
Key fertility indicators — Japan
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 54.9% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 45.1% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 30.9 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 17 |
| Total births (latest year) | 686,173 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Japan’s total maternal rate (TMR) is 54.9% in 2024. It is marginally lower than 2023 (down 1.7pp). Over the past five years, TMR has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 58.9%. Relative to the 1970s average (86.9%), Japan is now lower by about 32.0pp.
Globally, Japan has one of the lowest TMR levels (ranked 32/38).
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 94.8% | 2010 | 68.0% |
| 1980 | 78.1% | 2020 | 63.2% |
| 1990 | 66.5% | 2023 | 56.6% |
| 2000 | 66.2% | 2024 | 54.9%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Bueau of Japan.
Children per mother (CPM)
CPM in Japan is 2.10 in 2024. It is marginally lower than 2023 (down 0.02). Across the most recent five-year window, CPM is rising with an average of 2.11. Compared with the 1970s norm (2.27), today’s level is lower by about 0.18.
Globally, Japan ranks 17 out of 38 countries.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.26 | 2010 | 2.03 |
| 1980 | 2.22 | 2020 | 2.10 |
| 1990 | 2.32 | 2023 | 2.12 |
| 2000 | 2.06 | 2024 | 2.10* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Bueau of Japan.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 30.9 years. It has edged up slightly (+0.2 years). Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 30.6 years. It is now 5.1 years higher than the 1970s average.
Globally, Japan ranks 11 out of 38 countries.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 25.81 | 2010 | 29.27 |
| 1980 | 26.07 | 2020 | 30.29 |
| 1990 | 27.15 | 2023 | 30.71 |
| 2000 | 28.03 | 2024 | 30.89* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Bueau of Japan.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
Japan’s TFG is 44.4% in 2024 (equivalent to a TFR of 1.15). It has risen compared with 2023 (up 2.2pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TCR has been rising with an average of 39.9%. Relative to the 1970s average (6.2%), Japan is now higher by about 38.2pp. Japan has had a continuous Generational Birthgap since 1974. Japan saw its lowest TFG in the early 1970s (1970–1973), at 0.0%.
Globally, Japan has one of the highest TFG levels (ranked 7/38).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 33.3% |
| 1980 | 16.2% | 2020 | 36.0% |
| 1990 | 25.4% | 2023 | 42.2% |
| 2000 | 34.2% | 2024 | 44.4%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Bueau of Japan.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Japan’s SHL stands at 38.8 years years in 2024. It has decreased by 2.5 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 44.7 years. Compared with the 1970s average (492.7 years), SHL is now shorter by about 453.9 years.
Globally, Japan ranks 30 out of 38 countries.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Japan, there would be 17 great-grandchildren, representing a -83.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Japan has one of the highest TGI drops (ranked 7/38).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2063 - Births down 75% in 2102 - Births down 90% in 2153
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 686,173 in 2024 to 343,086 in 2063, and by 90% to 68,617 in 2153 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Japan’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) is 45.1% in 2024. It is up slightly on 2023 (up 1.7pp). Over the past five years, childlessness has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 41.1%. Compared with the 1970s norm (13.1%), today’s level is higher by about 32.0pp.
Globally, Japan has one of the highest childlessness rates (ranked 7/38).
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 5.2% | 2010 | 32.0% |
| 1980 | 21.9% | 2020 | 36.8% |
| 1990 | 33.5% | 2023 | 43.4% |
| 2000 | 33.8% | 2024 | 45.1%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Bueau of Japan.
Total births
In 2024, Japan recorded 686,173 total births. It is down 40,988 from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 767,455 per year. Compared with the 1970s average (1,896,787), total births are now lower by 1,210,614 births (63.8% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1.94M | 2010 | 1.07M |
| 1980 | 1.58M | 2020 | 841.1k |
| 1990 | 1.22M | 2023 | 727.2k |
| 2000 | 1.19M | 2024 | 686.2k* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Bueau of Japan.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Japan’s BRI is 65.4% in 2024. It has risen compared with 2023 (up 2.4pp). Looking at the last five years, the BRI has been rising (average 59.6% across 2020–2024). Compared with the 1970s norm (-56.7%), today’s BRI is higher by about 122.1pp.
Globally, Japan has one of the highest BRI values (ranked 2/35).
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -103.9% | 2010 | 30.7% |
| 1980 | -6.2% | 2020 | 53.8% |
| 1990 | 20.3% | 2023 | 63.0% |
| 2000 | 48.0% | 2024 | 65.4%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Bueau of Japan.
