Japan's population of children under 15 fell to 13.29 million as of April 1, 2026, marking the 45th consecutive year of decline [1, 3].
This persistent demographic contraction signals a deepening crisis for Japan's future workforce and social infrastructure. As the proportion of young people shrinks, the nation faces increasing pressure on its healthcare and pension systems, which rely on a younger generation to support an aging society.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said that the child population decreased by 350,000 compared to the previous year [2]. This downward trend has resulted in children accounting for only 10.8% of the total population [4].
According to government data, the percentage of children in the total population has fallen for 52 consecutive years [5]. This long-term decline is attributed to a continuing drop in birth rates [6, 7].
Historical data highlights the scale of the shift. In 1955, the child population reached a peak of 29.80 million [8]. The current population of children under 15 represents approximately 45% of that 1955 peak [8].
The ministry said the findings were released on May 5, coinciding with Children's Day in Japan [1, 3].
“Japan's population of children under 15 fell to 13.29 million”
The continuous decline in Japan's youth population underscores a structural demographic collapse that persists despite government efforts to raise birth rates. With the child population now less than half of its mid-century peak, Japan faces a shrinking domestic market and a critical shortage of future laborers, necessitating potential shifts in immigration policy or aggressive automation to maintain economic stability.
