Japan saw nearly 1 million more deaths than births in 2024, marking the country’s steepest single-year population decline since the government surveys began nearly six decades ago.

In 2024, Japan's population dropped by over 900,000, the sharpest annual fall ever recorded. This marks the 16th consecutive year of decline, driven by low birth rates and an aging population. Japan is now exploring immigration and other measures to combat workforce and demographic issues.