Japan's Elderly Population Hits Record 29.6%

Sep 21, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - People aged 65 and older accounted for a record 29.6% of Japan's population in 2026, the highest proportion among major countries worldwide, while the number of elderly people in employment also reached an all-time high as Japan marked Respect for the Aged Day on September 21.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan's population aged 65 and older was estimated at 36.24 million as of September 15, an increase of 20,000 from 2025.

Their share of the total population rose to a record 29.6%.

Among 39 countries with populations exceeding 40 million, Japan had by far the highest proportion of residents aged 65 or older. Italy ranked second at 25.6%, followed by Germany at 24.2%.

The number of people aged 65 and older who were working reached a record 9.43 million, marking the 22nd consecutive annual increase.

The employment rate among elderly people stood at 26%, meaning roughly one in four people aged 65 and older remained in the workforce.

日本の高齢者人口、過去最高の29.6％に

2026年、日本の65歳以上の人口は全体の29.6％と過去最高を記録し、主要国の中で最も高い割合となった。就業する高齢者の数も過去最多となり、9月21日の敬老の日にあわせて高齢化の進行が改めて浮き彫りとなった。

日本老年人口占比创纪录达29.6%

2026年，日本65岁及以上人口占总人口的29.6%，创历史新高，在主要国家中位居首位。与此同时，就业老年人口也创下历史新高，相关数据在9月21日敬老日之际公布。

Source: FNN

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Japan's Elderly Population Hits Record 29.6%

People aged 65 and older accounted for a record 29.6% of Japan's population in 2026, the highest proportion among major countries worldwide, while the number of elderly people in employment also reached an all-time high as Japan marked Respect for the Aged Day on September 21.

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