Question

Observe the population pyramid for Japan in 2023 below. What can you infer from this? Write your observations and share in the class.

Answer 1

• Japan has an ageing population, with a large proportion of people in the older age groups.
• The base of the pyramid is narrow, showing that there are fewer children and young people.
• The middle and older age groups are wider, especially around ages 50–80.
• There are more elderly women than men, particularly at older ages.
• Japan has a low birth rate, which is reflected in the small number of young children.
• The population is slowly declining because deaths exceed births. Japan’s total population decreased for the 13th consecutive year in 2023.
• In 2023, about 29.1% of Japan’s population was aged 65 or above, while only 11.4% was under 15.
• Overall, the pyramid shows that Japan is facing population ageing, fewer young workers, and a shrinking population.