Japan has recorded more than 100,000 people aged 100 or older, highlighting the country’s growing ageing population and declining birth rate.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of centenarians reached a record 107,677 in 2026, an increase of 7,914 from the previous year. Women account for nearly 88 percent of the total.
Japan has one of the world’s oldest populations, with 29.4 percent of its 123 million residents aged 65 or older. The proportion is projected to approach 40 percent by 2070.
At the same time, Japan is experiencing a sharp decline in births. About 700,000 babies were born last year, while more than 800,000 people were aged 95 or older.
The country’s total fertility rate fell to a record 1.14 in 2025, well below the approximately 2.1 considered necessary to maintain a stable population without relying on immigration.
Experts attribute Japan’s long life expectancy to factors including its traditional diet, active lifestyles and universal healthcare system. However, the ageing population is creating growing challenges for the economy and social-care system.
A shrinking workforce means fewer people are paying taxes and social-security contributions while spending on pensions, healthcare and elderly care continues to rise. Labour shortages are also affecting sectors such as construction, agriculture, transport, healthcare and social care.
Japan has introduced measures including child allowances, subsidised childcare and parental-leave programmes to encourage people to have children. However, the country’s population decline has continued.
The trend is also affecting rural communities, where younger people are moving to cities, leaving behind increasingly ageing populations and fewer workers.
Japan’s experience reflects a wider global trend. The World Health Organization says global life expectancy reached 73.3 years in 2024, while the number of people aged 60 and above is expected to increase from 1.1 billion in 2023 to 1.4 billion by 2030.
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