Geo 2.3.2 CS: Japan (Ageing Population, Low Birth Rate)

What is the fertility rate in 1970 and now?

Was 2.1, now 1.2 (2024)

What is the optimal fertility rate?

2.1

What is the life expectancy?

84.45yrs

Why is the birth or fertility rate declining?

• Salary gap between men/women decreasing, more women working

• Hard for women to work and have a child at same time; work first

• Avg marriage age higher (24.5 in 1950, 28 in 2000)

• Avg age to have first child higher

How much has death rate increased?

6 per1000 in 1982 → 11 per1000 in 2020

What was the avg marriage age in 1950 and 2000?

24.5 → 28

What are issues with the ageing population?

• Elderly dependency ratio increased (2:7 in 2000, expected 4:7)

• Govt has to spend more on pensions and healthcare

  • Less money for other essentials

• Labour shortages

• Population decline unlikely to be offset by immigration

• School closures - less children; ~450 schools close a year

How much is the retirement age extended to?

60 → 65 by 2025

What are solutions to these issues?

• Extending retirement age (age people can get pension)

  • From 60 → 65 by 2025

• Pension payment scheme: people who earn over an amount gets pension bonus

• Providing subsidies to employers who employ people >60yrs

• Robots developed to help elderly