According to a summary by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of children born from January to September this year was more than 599,000, a decrease of about 30,000 from the previous year.
The number of Japanese children born last year was over 810,000, and if the current pace continues, this year may fall below 800,000 for the first time since the start of national statistics.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of children born in Japan from January to September this year was 599,636, including foreigners.
Compared to the same period last year, the number decreased by 30,933, or 4.9%, and by month, it has been below the previous year for eight consecutive months since February.
The number of Japanese children born last year was 811,622. may drop below 800,000 for the first time.
According to an estimate released in early November by the Japan Research Institute, a major think tank, the number of births this year is about 770,000, which is expected to fall below 800,000.
If the number actually falls below 800,000, it means that the declining birthrate is progressing at a faster pace than expected, eight years earlier than the forecast announced by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research in 2017. Regarding the progress, he said, "It may have been affected by the prolonged corona disaster, such as refraining from marriage and pregnancy."