What is population growth rate in Japan?

Population growth rate in Japan was -0.5% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.

What is the highest population growth rate recorded in Japan?

The highest recorded value was 1.7% in 1950.

What is the lowest population growth rate recorded in Japan?

The lowest recorded value was -0.6% in 2021.

How does Japan rank for population growth rate?

Japan ranks 212th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.

Is population growth rate rising or falling in Japan?

Over the last ten years it is down 183.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.

Where does this Japan data come from?

The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Population growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Population growth rate in Japan

Name: Population growth rate in Japan
Creator: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data
License: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)

Japan: Population growth rate was -0.5% in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)

-0.5%

Change on year

up 7.8%

World rank

212th

of 236 countries

All-time high

1.7%

in 1950

All-time low

-0.6%

in 2021

Years of data

1950–2023

Population growth rate in Japan, 1950–2023

Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

The most recent figure for population growth rate in Japan is -0.5%, measured in 2023.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 7.8% on the previous year and down 183.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, population growth rate in Japan peaked at 1.7% in 1950 and was at its lowest, -0.6%, in 2021.

Japan ranks 212th of 236 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

Decade	Average	Lowest	Highest	Years
1950s	1.1%	0.7%	1.7%	10
1960s	1.0%	0.8%	1.3%	10
1970s	1.1%	0.8%	1.3%	10
1980s	0.4%	0.3%	0.6%	10
1990s	0.3%	0.2%	0.4%	10
2000s	0.1%	0.0%	0.2%	10
2010s	-0.1%	-0.2%	-0.0%	10
2020s	-0.5%	-0.6%	-0.4%	4

Countries ranked near Japan

209 Taiwan -0.5% compare
210 North Macedonia -0.5% compare
211 Dominica -0.5% compare
213 Bulgaria -0.5% compare
214 Romania -0.5% compare
215 Bosnia and Herzegovina -0.6% compare

See the full ranking of 236 places →

Frequently asked questions

What is population growth rate in Japan?: Population growth rate in Japan was -0.5% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest population growth rate recorded in Japan?: The highest recorded value was 1.7% in 1950.
What is the lowest population growth rate recorded in Japan?: The lowest recorded value was -0.6% in 2021.
How does Japan rank for population growth rate?: Japan ranks 212th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
Is population growth rate rising or falling in Japan?: Over the last ten years it is down 183.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Japan data come from?: The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Population growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

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About this data

Indicator: Population growth rate
Unit: %
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage: 236 places, 17,464 data points, 1950–2023
Last refreshed: 06 August 2026

The annual rate at which the population is growing, expressed as a percentage.