Japan’s elderly population share rises to record 29.6% in 2026
The country ranks first among 39 nations with at least 40 million people, while workers aged 65 and over reached a record 9.43 million in 2025.
- Japan's population aged 65 and over has reached a record high of 29.6% of the national total, an increase of 0.2 percentage points from the previous year.
- This proportion is the highest among 39 major countries, surpassing second-place Italy (25.6%) and third-place Germany (24.2%).
- Reflecting this demographic shift, the number of workers aged 65 and over also hit a record, now comprising 13.8% of Japan's total workforce.
- The trend is projected to continue, with the elderly expected to account for 34.8% of the population by the year 2040.
Japan’s population aged 65 and over accounted for a record 29.6% of the national total, up 0.2 percentage points from a year earlier, the internal affairs ministry reported on Sunday (September 20), ahead of Respect for the Aged Day on Monday.
This was the highest proportion among 39 countries with populations of at least 40 million in 2026, followed by Italy at 25.6% and Germany at 24.2%.
At an estimated 36.24 million as of Tuesday, the size of this age group was 20,000 higher than a year earlier.
Men numbered 15.71 million and women 20.54 million, representing 26.3% of Japan’s male population and 32.6% of the female population, respectively.
Workers aged 65 and over made up a record 13.8% of all workers aged 15 and over in 2025.
Their number climbed for a 22nd consecutive year to 9.43 million, the highest level since comparable data began in 1968.
Of the 5.86 million older workers who were not corporate executives, 4.46 million, or 76.1%, were non-regular employees.
Across the older workforce, 1.31 million worked in wholesale and retail, 1.22 million in medical and welfare and 1.08 million in services.
The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research expects the proportion of people aged 65 and over to reach 34.8% in 2040.
By then, second baby boomers born between 1971 and 1974 will be at least 65.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
