Japan has record 100,000 people aged over 100: How societies are ageing
Fewer births and worsening labour shortages are placing mounting pressure on Japan’s social care system.
Japan is now home to more than 100,000 people aged 100 or older, marking a new longevity milestone for a country confronting an accelerating demographic crisis.
The number of centenarians reached a record 107,677 this year, according to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare – an increase of 7,914 from 2025 and the 56th consecutive annual rise. Women account for almost 88 percent of the total.
Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno said he was “very pleased that many people are living long, healthy and active lives”, citing advances in medical technology as well as healthy lifestyles and diets.
While living longer is an achievement, in Japan, it is also occurring alongside one of the world’s lowest birth rates. The country’s total fertility rate – the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime – fell to a record low of 1.14 in 2025. A rate of about 2.1 is generally considered necessary to maintain a stable population without requiring immigration to bolster working-age numbers.