人口減少

• Reading: じんこうげんしょう
• Romaji: jinkō genshō
• Kanji breakdown: 人 (jin/hito) — person; 口 (kō/kuchi) — mouth; 減 (gen/he) — to decrease; 少 (shō/suku) — few, little
• Pronunciation: /dʑiɴ.koː.ɡeɴ.ɕoː/

Meaning

Population decline; depopulation. The reduction in the total number of inhabitants of a region over time.

One of the most pressing social challenges facing Japan, 人口減少 is driven by a falling birth rate and ageing population. It results in labour shortages, regional hollowing-out (地方消滅), and strain on social security systems. Policy responses include immigration reform, childbirth incentives, and automation.

Examples

1. 人口減少が続けば、地方の自治体は存続できなくなる。 If population decline continues, local municipalities will become unsustainable.
2. 少子化対策は人口減少を食い止めるための柱の一つだ。 Measures to address the falling birth rate are one of the pillars for stemming population decline.
3. 人口減少社会においては、生産性の向上が不可欠となる。 In a society of population decline, improving productivity becomes indispensable.

Usage Guide

Context: demographics, policy, economics, regional planning

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 人口 (population) and 減少 (decrease, reduction). 人口 literally means 'the number of people entering mouths' (a classical Chinese census concept). The compound gained urgency in Japan following demographic data from the 2000s.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal