A Sharp Population Decline Predicted For Japan

Posted by: Nate Berg

21 December 2006 - 11:00am

A new report has been released in Japan that projects a sharp drop in the country's population over the next 50 years. The report predicts that a declining birth rate will cause a decrease of more than 30% by 2055.

"The report says the current population of about 127 million is projected to sink below 90 million by 2055."

"By that date the proportion of the population aged above 65 is set to double to 40.5%."

"Japan already has the highest number of elderly people and the lowest number of young as a percentage of its population."

This age inequality is also creating significant economic problems for the country, which is unsure if it can afford to pay the pensions of the large group of adults set to retire soon.

Full Story: Japan population 'set to plummet'

Source: BBC, December 20, 2006