Japan’s total population fell out of the top ten in the world for the first time

Japan’s total population fell out of the world’s top ten for the first time

Japan’s total population fell out of the world’s top ten for the first time, and 20 countries have experienced negative population growth. According to United Nations projections, Japan’s total population Ranked 11th globally. Japan fell out of the top ten for the first time since the global rankings began in 1950. Past data shows that the main characteristics of Japan's population in recent years include a declining birthrate and an aging population. The following is what I bring to you. Japan’s total population has fallen out of the top ten in the world for the first time. I hope you like it. Japan's total population has fallen out of the top ten in the world for the first time, and 20 countries have experienced negative population growth1

According to reports, as of October 1, 2020, Japan's total population, including foreigners, was 126,226,568. According to United Nations data, Japan's population ranks 11th in the world, falling out of the top ten for the first time since 1950 when comparative data were available for various countries.

According to United Nations estimates, Japan’s total population ranks 11th in the world. Japan fell out of the top ten for the first time since the global rankings began in 1950.

This data is about 865,000 fewer than the 2015 statistics, a reduction rate of about 0.7%. The reduction rate improved slightly due to an increase in the foreign population of approximately 2,556,183 people.

Judging from the situation in various regions in Japan, the population of 38 prefectures decreased in this survey, while the population of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area (Tokyo, Saitama Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefecture) However, the total population increased by 808,000 people, and the population showed a trend of concentration in local areas.

With the rapid aging of society, the number of newborns in Japan dropped to a historical low of 840,832 in 2020, which was partly affected by the epidemic. The tally has renewed pressure on Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga's government to work to slow population decline in the world's third-largest economy.

Past data shows that the main characteristics of Japan’s population in recent years include a declining birthrate and an aging population. Last year, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare released data stating that the number of people over 65 years old in the country exceeded 36.1 million for the first time, accounting for 28.7% of the country's total population. This is the highest record in Japanese history and ranks first in the world in terms of aging population.

According to United Nations data, as of June 25, 2021, the total population of 230 countries in the world was 7,596,934,179 people. Among them, China ranked first with 1,411,780,000 people, making it the most populous country in the world. Japan's total population has fallen out of the top ten in the world for the first time, and 20 countries have experienced negative population growth2

The global population is aging. In many countries, life expectancy has increased to 70 years or more. In 2020, for the first time in history, the number of people aged 60 and above in the world exceeded the number of children under the age of 5.

According to the official website of the World Economic Forum, it is expected that in the next few decades, the global aging population will increase from 7% today to 20%. By 2050, the number of adults over 65 worldwide will double to 1.6 billion, with the largest increases in developing countries.

The aging of the population means the extension of human lifespan, which is due to better nutritional structure, public health, improvements in the medical care system, as well as big data and artificial intelligence to meet the needs of the aging population. demand for technological innovation.

However, this growth is not just affecting families. It is one of the biggest social, economic and political changes of our time. It will force the entire current system to change, and we will need new ones. solutions to deal with.

Worry? New challenges facing aging in the digital age

“Aging in the digital age has posed new challenges to us. Many older people cannot enjoy digital education like young people, nor can they be as familiar with new technologies as young people. feel comfortable with the application,” said Dubravka Shuka, Vice-President for Democracy and Demography of the Council of Europe.

We need to address the challenges of aging, for example, by helping older people live intergenerationally, rather than segregating people into different communities based on age (such as retirement communities); The elderly need to drive cars for travel, otherwise it will aggravate their health problems such as depressive symptoms; while ensuring the independent life of the elderly, encourage them to participate in social activities, especially through the Internet, and this group should not be excluded due to the digital divide. isolated.

In addition, some elderly people are unable to continue to exert their labor value after retirement due to age discrimination. Globally, the social care system for the aging population is incomplete and there is a lack of professional nursing staff.

“However, innovation and technological advancement inevitably require us all, regardless of age, to become familiar with new tools. And these innovative solutions, tailored to the needs and preferences of older adults, Assistive technologies or digital services have great potential to improve the quality of life and support their independent living," said Dubravka Shuka.

To ensure that humans benefit from aging and longevity technologies, we must design technologies that are inclusive and benefit humans.

Opportunity! Technology has new potential in dealing with aging

Today, efficient and easy-to-use digital technology is being used by more and more elderly people because of its significant advantages, and many specific technical fields are also meeting the needs of the elderly. Continuous exploration on the road. For example, telemedicine, tablets for communication and entertainment, wearable devices, sensory aids (such as hearing aids), artificial intelligence electronic medical record platforms, etc., by detecting falls for the elderly, providing smart home technology, early detection of diseases, and Maintaining the relationship between older people and society in terms of managing disease conditions, reducing social isolation and helping older people continue to participate in the workforce.

Microsoft is one of the companies investing in this area. Microsoft Healthcare Cloud delivers personalized care by transforming data into rapid healthcare interoperability resources, such as leveraging electronic medical record systems or research databases, enabling virtual care and care team collaboration, and is optimized by combining IoT devices and data analytics treatments, as well as promoting data interoperability to help enable the management of health data at scale.

Japan is a “super-aging country”. Japan uses smartphone apps to collect data on the elderly, especially those who have problems with their economic status, physical and mental health, etc. due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. The app does not infringe on personal privacy and may help Addressing the lack of reliable information between technology and older adults.

As early as 2017, 198 million elderly people in Brazil benefited from smartphone applications. This program helps seniors easily access affordable health diagnostics on top of basic levels of healthcare and significantly improves their health.

Nidhi Sinvi, senior director of WoTeng, a subsidiary of the United Health Group, believes that the greatest benefit of technology in preventing aging and prolonging life lies in the advancement of preventive care. Artificial intelligence or machine learning will play a key role in running simulations that capture data through wearable devices and patient electronic medical records. Advanced technology solutions have huge potential to provide evidence-based healthcare advice, help determine the best treatment options, and customize health plans.

Peggy Hicks, head of the theme advocacy department of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, believes that the use of assistive technology and nursing robots and other technologies can improve the ability of the elderly to live independently and ensure the safety of the elderly. human rights. At the same time, he stressed that "over-reliance or misuse of technology can lead to less humane care practices or create new forms of alienation and neglect, and we need to ensure that technology is designed and deployed safely."