The estimated child population in Japan has dropped for the 39th consecutive year to a record low, government data showed Monday, despite efforts to tackle the long-standing issue of a declining birthrate.
By contrast, those aged 65 and over account for 28.6 percent of Japan's population, reflecting its increasingly graying society.
The child population in Japan peaked at 29.89 million in 1954.
Those aged between 12 and 14 comprised the largest group of children at 3.21 million, while newborns to 2-year-olds totaled 2.75 million.
By gender, there were 7.74 million boys and 7.38 million girls, the ministry said.