Japan must contend with its aging population

Article Excerpt

Japan’s population is getting older, and with an average age of 49.5 years, is the oldest population in the world. While people are living longer the fertility rate is declining—women are expected to bear only 1.3 children during their lifetimes. Given the low fertility rate, the Japanese population is expected to decline by about a quarter, from 125 million today to 96 million by 2060. The labour force would also shrink by the same margin. As a result of the aging of the population, the portion of the population over 65 compared to the working age group—the so-called dependency ratio—is projected to rise from the current 54% to 79% by 2050. This will reduce the number of working-age persons to 1.3 per elderly person. By comparison, the U.S. currently has a dependency ratio of 30%, and Canada, 32%. A smaller population would have some advantages, such as less environmental damage, less congestion, and cheaper housing. However, a shrinking and aging population reduces the…