Japan is one of the world's leading societies with a declining birthrate and aging population. Changes in the population structure have a major impact on social security・the economy・regions.
Basic Knowledge
Declining birthrate refers to a decrease in the birthrate, and the total fertility rate is approximately 1.2〜1.3, far below the 2.07 needed to maintain the population. Population aging means an increase in the proportion of people aged 65 and over. In Japan, approximately 29% of the total population is aged 65 and over, making it a super-aged society.
As a result, the working-age population (ages 15〜64) is decreasing, while social security costs (pensions・medical care・nursing care) are increasing. In addition, depopulation is progressing in rural areas, while problems caused by overpopulation are occurring in urban areas.
Total fertility rate (the number of children one woman gives birth to during her lifetime. A rate of 2.07 is needed to maintain the population)
Aging rate (the proportion of people aged 65 and over in the total population. Over 7%＝aging society, over 14%＝aged society, over 21%＝super-aged society)
Working-age population (the population aged 15〜64. The central workforce)
Declining birthrate and population aging (a phenomenon in which the birthrate declines and the population ages simultaneously)
Depopulation・overpopulation (population decline in rural areas and population concentration in urban areas)
Social security (public systems supporting daily life, including pensions・medical care・nursing care・welfare)
Further Study (Background・Significance)
Background factors behind the declining birthrate include later marriage・more people remaining unmarried, increased child-rearing costs, difficulties balancing women's participation in society with work, and unstable employment. Population aging is mainly caused by the extension of average life expectancy due to advances in medicine.
The effects are serious, leading to worsening pension finances, labor shortages, increased nursing-care burdens, and the decline of rural areas. Measures include child-rearing support, work-style reform, acceptance of foreign workers, and regional revitalization.
- Total fertility rate is approximately 1.2〜1.3 (2.07 is needed to maintain the population)
- Japan's aging rate is approximately 29%＝super-aged society
- Aging society(7%)→aged society(14%)→super-aged society(21%)
- Working-age population＝ages 15〜64
- Increasing social security costs place pressure on public finances
- Depopulation(rural areas) and overpopulation(urban areas) progress simultaneously
- Measures＝child-rearing support・work-style reform・regional revitalization
Points to Note (Easily Confused)
① An aging society is over 7%, an aged society is over 14%, and a super-aged society is over 21%; do not confuse the three terms. ② Depopulation means a decline in the population of rural areas, while overpopulation means population concentration in cities. ③ The total fertility rate is the number of children one woman gives birth to during her lifetime and differs from the birthrate (the ratio of annual births to the population). ④ The working-age population is ages 15〜64 and does not include children (under 15) or older people (65 and over).
Practice
- What is a society called when its aging rate exceeds 21%?
- What level of the total fertility rate is necessary to maintain the population?
- What is the condition called when the population of a rural area decreases significantly?