The Number Of Elderly Workers In Japan Capai 9.14 Million, Highest In History

Illustration of elderly workers in Japan. (Japanese Station/pakteuto.com)

JAKARTA - In the midst of a labor shortage, the number of elderly (elderly) working in Japan reached the highest figure in history.

The elderly population working in the country was recorded at a record 9.14 million people last year, according to the latest data from the Japanese Ministry of Home Affairs.

The total population of elderly Japanese aged 65 years and over was recorded at 36.25 million people, with 25.2 percent of them working, reported the NHK public broadcasting agency.

Of the total elderly population, 15.72 million are male.

Data from the ministry shows that the number of elderly men working decreased by 40,000 people compared to the previous year to 5.34 million people, while the number of elderly women working increased by 50,000 people to 3.8 million people.

As Japan celebrated Elderly Honorary Day on Monday, the country recorded its largest population decline in history last year, with a significant drop of 861,000 residents.

This demographic change, observed in various provinces, highlights the ongoing challenges Japan faces regarding its aging population and declining birth rates.

Japan's population decreased from 122.42 million in 2022 to 121.56 million in 2023, as reported by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Communications in July this year.

This phenomenon marks a consecutive 15th year of population downturn and the biggest decline since the survey began in 1968.