Japan Population Growth
Annual population growth rate SP.POP.GROW
Japan's population growth was -0.52% in 2025, ranked 198th globally. This represents a 18.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1961–2025.
Overview
Japan's population growth stood at -0.52% in 2025, a decline of +0.08pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.52% by 2025. Japan ranked 198th globally.
Japan’s population growth has shifted from a modest increase of 0.90 % in 1961 to a sustained decline, reaching –0.52 % in 2025, the lowest rate among 198 nations and the all‑time trough for the 65‑year series. The apex of expansion occurred in 1971 when the annual growth peaked at 2.19 %, reflecting post‑war baby‑boom dynamics and high fertility. Since the early 2000s the rate has steadily eroded, driven by an ageing demographic, low birth rates and limited net migration, a pattern mirrored in other small, high‑income economies such as Monaco, which records a comparable –0.49 % decline. The persistent negative growth places Japan alongside the Virgin Islands (US) at –0.55 % and Belarus at –0.58 %, underscoring a broader challenge for advanced economies with similar demographic structures. Absent significant policy interventions to boost fertility or attract younger migrants, the downward trajectory is expected to continue, deepening the country’s population contraction in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Population Growth | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | -0.58% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | -0.55% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.52% | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.52% | −0.08pp | #198 |
| 2024 | -0.44% | +0.05pp | #18 |
| 2023 | -0.49% | −0.04pp | #17 |
| 2022 | -0.44% | +0.02pp | #23 |
| 2021 | -0.46% | −0.17pp | #34 |
| 2020 | -0.29% | −0.15pp | #32 |
| 2019 | -0.14% | −0.01pp | #34 |
| 2018 | -0.13% | −0.05pp | #34 |
| 2017 | -0.08% | −0.03pp | #34 |
| 2016 | -0.05% | +0.05pp | #35 |
| 2015 | -0.11% | +0.03pp | #33 |
| 2014 | -0.13% | +0.01pp | #33 |
| 2013 | -0.14% | +0.02pp | #31 |
| 2012 | -0.16% | +0.03pp | #26 |
| 2011 | -0.19% | −0.20pp | #30 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Japan matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2004. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw population growth improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Japan's population growth was -0.52% in 2025. Ranked 198th globally. This represents a 18.7% decrease from the previous year.
Japan's population growth peaked at 2.19% in 1971.
The lowest population growth in Japan was -0.52% in 2025.
Japan ranks 198th globally in population growth as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.GROW. Data sourced from World Bank.
Japan's population growth is projected to reach -0.52% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The population growth of Japan in 2025 was -0.52%. This ranks 198th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_japan_population-growth,
title = {Japan Population Growth},
url = {https://historysaid.com/japan/population-growth/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}