Japan's Productive Population Down to 50% in 2050

The UN World Population Prospects forecasts Japan's productive population to half in 2050, meaning the population ratio of working-age and dependent (below age 15 and above age 65 put together) to level.

Of the "Worst 7", Japan tops with 50.9% followed by Spain (51.6%), South Korea (53.1%), Italy (53.1%), Portugal (53.6%), Greece (53.8%) and Germany (54.7%).

These "leading" nations are also in a world of their own in the above-65 population with average 30%. Japan tops again with 36.5% followed by South Korea with 34.9%. Most frightening is the prospect of the above-age 75 increasing in number up to over 20% of Japan's total population - 35 years later when the baby boomers will have died out.

What it means is that economic growth will be nowhere in sight and, if nothing is done to stop the rot, the whole nation will have to vanish. The baby boomers have held the fort down through the post-war years, but they are almost retired, each matter‐of‐factly folding their arms.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications points out in its report "The Elderly Population in Statistics" issued on the Respect-for-the-Aged Day that Japan elderly population above age 65 tops the world with 26.7% followed by Italy (22.4%) and Germany (21.2%). The situation today is far better than that in 2050. By mid 21st century, the world will grow elderly in a remarkably different fashion.

The production population is not by itself totally productive; full-time housewives are not counted in. Uplifting women's labor force participation rate decides will orientate Japan's total labor force.

2008 data show women's employment rate in Japan is less than 70% as compared with other OECD nations and 10% less than Nordic nations.