Japan's elderly population reaches new peak, workforce participation rises

By AJP Posted : September 16, 2024, 13:26 Updated : September 16, 2024, 13:26
This photo shows a city view of Tokyo Bay Sept 13 2024 AFP - Yonhap
This photo shows a city view of Tokyo Bay, Sept. 13, 2024. AFP - Yonhap
SEOUL, September 16 (AJP) - Japan's population aged 65 and above has reached a record 36.25 million, constituting 29.3 percent of the total population, according to government data released on Sunday.

This figure represents an increase of 20,000 from the previous year, further solidifying Japan's position as the country with the highest proportion of elderly citizens globally.

The data, published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications ahead of Respect for the Aged Day, revealed that women make up the majority of this demographic, numbering 20.53 million, compared to 15.72 million men.

Notably, individuals aged 80 and above now account for 10.4 percent of the population, surpassing the 10 percent threshold for the second consecutive year. In a related development, labor statistics indicate that approximately 9.14 million seniors were employed in 2023, comprising 13.5 percent of the total workforce.

The healthcare and welfare sectors have seen a substantial rise in elderly employment, with numbers more than doubling over the past decade to 1.07 million, partially addressing the persistent labor shortages in these industries.
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