Japan birthrate at record low
Japan’s birthrate remained at a record low in 2004 despite heightened government efforts to encourage married couples to have larger families.
Women gave birth to an average of 1.29 children over their lifetimes, the lowest rate since the government began releasing the number in 1947, the Health Ministry said today.
The rate, one of the lowest in the world, is unchanged from last year, and had been sinking to uncharted lows since 2001. The government started a five-year project this year to build more day care centres, encourage men to take paternity leave and companies to ensure equal opportunities for women.
The drop in births, despite government efforts to encourage couples to have more children, reflects changing lifestyles for women in particular, with many pursuing career opportunities.
Concerns is growing about the long-term impact rapidly dwindling numbers of children will have on the economy. The trend threatens to leave Japan with a labour shortage, erode the country’s tax base and strain the pension system.
