The number of children in Japan has dropped to another record low, in a stark reminder of the demographic challenges that are weighing on Asia’s second biggest economy.
The number of children 14 years old or younger fell for the 43rd straight year to around 14.01 million as of April 1, according to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication. The figure dropped 330,000 from a year before to hit the lowest level since 1950, the last year with comparable data, the ministry said Saturday, the day before Children's Day.
The ratio of children to Japan’s total population decreased to 11.3%, also touching an all-time low. The population of boys stood at 7.18 million, and that of girls at 6.83 million.