With low death rates and just as low birth rates in the 10th most populated country, Japan has seen the slowest growth in its population since 1920, according to a once-in-five-years census report from Friday.

In October 2010, Japan’s population was at 128.05 million which had increased by a mere 0.2 % from 2005. It is lowest growth seen since the start of the census in 1920 said official Keiko Nozaki.

Nozaki stated, “The weak population growth was mainly due to Japan’s very low birthrates.” The ministry has seen a population decline since 2007.

What are the causes? Nowadays, individuals are waiting longer to get married and have children due to changes in lifestle and careers. Japan’s population are living a lifestyle in which they can age effortlessly, but this creates a problem when less people are left to have babies. Those 100 years old and over increased to a whopping 44,449 in 2010. Japan’s fertility rate was only 1.37 (one of the lowest in the world) in 2008.

Source