How could they solve this problem?

[Davey]

Everyoe knowns it is a big problem in Japan, and also in other countries! so any idea on how they could solve this problem?
1. Maybe they can give more money to parents that get a second child
2. Mothers can take 1 year off without they have to quit their jobs

any other ideas?

No. of children falls for 25th year running in Japan
(Kyodo) _ The number of children in Japan has decreased for 25 years in a row, adding to evidence the country is experiencing an aging population and declining birthrate, an annual government survey showed Thursday.

As of April 1, the number of children aged 14 or younger totaled about 17,470,000, down 180,000 from a year earlier, for the 25th consecutive year of decline since 1982, said the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, which used prefectural government data for its numbers.

The survey is conducted every year for release around the Children's Day holiday on May 5 in Japan.

The figure represents 13.7 percent of Japan's total population, down from 13.8 percent a year before for a fresh record low and the 32nd straight yearly fall, while people aged over 65 accounted for a record-high 20.4 percent.

Of children, boys numbered 8,960,000 and girls 8,510,000.

Compared with the latest results of other countries' surveys, Japan ranks lower along with Italy, where the ratio of children to the total population was 14.2 percent, and Germany and Spain, both of which had a ratio of 14.5 percent, the ministry said.


Among countries with relatively high ratios were the Philippines with 34.7 percent and Colombia with 31.7 percent.

 

[godppgo]

I don't think money is the biggest issue for Japanese to not to have kids. Therefore, rewarding couples with 2nd child probably won't be very effective. I think the only way to solve Japan's declining population problem is immigration. However, it will take Japanese society some time to adopt the idea of mass immigration.

 

[DoctorP]

Dave,
I believe a lot of the problem with less children is less marriages! Have you noticed how many men/women in Japan are into their mid to late 30's and still single? They enjoy their freedom too much to tie themselves down with a family. This seems more true for the women then the men. While single and working, they can spend all of their money on themselves and whatever they like. If they had a family, they would have to make sacrifices that they are not yet mature enough to make.

 

[RockLee]

I think that plays indeed an important role CC1, btw, congrats with your 1000th post !!!

 

[MajideSaiaku]

The rate of Japan's aging population is suprising...are japanese people really that un-interested in family?.

 

[UFSI]

? ? ?

Any chance LESS population might be a good thing for Japan's future?

UFSI

:?

 

[godppgo]

More living space is the only good thing I can think of...

 

[Davey]

eee for immigration maybe... for the rest, less population is not always bad, but 25 years declining??

 

[Glenn]

I think there would be problems with the economy if the population gets dramatically smaller in a short period of time. They'll have lots of jobs with no one to work them. Of course, it seems like that would just mean a smaller economy for a smaller country, but I've been given the impression that it's a major problem.

 

[KrazyKat]

I think there would be problems with the economy if the population gets dramatically smaller in a short period of time. They'll have lots of jobs with no one to work them. Of course, it seems like that would just mean a smaller economy for a smaller country, but I've been given the impression that it's a major problem.

Any chance LESS population might be a good thing for Japan's future?
UFSI
:?

The important thing is the dependancy ratio. If there are no kids going into work but people are still living a long time then a larger number of people will need to live of a smaller number of jobs. - everybody gets a lot poorer. That is the major problem, not the population level.

 

[Glenn]

Riiiiight. That makes sense. Yeah, there won't be enough workers to support the retirees. Thanks for pointing that out, Kat.

 

[bossel]

Riiiiight. That makes sense. Yeah, there won't be enough workers to support the retirees. Thanks for pointing that out, Kat.

I think, it's a bit more complicated regarding the dependency ratio. Whether the age pyramid is A- (more kids) or V- (more pensioners) shaped doesn't seem to make that much of a difference. When other factors come into play (eg. unemployment), it may get really interesting.

 

[Mars Man]

Oh...haven't been 'round these parts lately...

Yeah, KrazyKat got that information correct--and to think, the government has known about it for a while basically. I recall seeing posters down at the village hall way back in '98 explaining the number of workers that would be supporting the over 62 age group in 2015 (or so...I can't recall that exact year given) and it was something like 4.5 to 10.

Another matter that appears (and I emphasize 'appears') to be coming package and parcel with this enigma is a widening of whatever gap there had been between the haves and the have-nots.

So, in order to help support the aging, with all that insurance stuff, why wouldn't Japan invite immigration? Perhaps it boils down to the old 'Samurai spirit' of saving face by self-destruction? Perhaps a sense of distrust on behalf of the geater powers within the government? I can't say.