出生率

• Reading: しゅっしょうりつ
• Romaji: shusshouritsu
• Kanji breakdown: 出 (shutsu/de) — come out, emerge; 生 (shou/sei) — birth, life; 率 (ritsu/sotsu) — rate, ratio
• Pronunciation: /ɕɯs.ɕoː.ɾi.tsɯ/

Meaning

Birth rate. The ratio of live births to the total population in a given area and time period.

A noun used frequently in news, demographics, and social policy discussions. Japan's declining 出生率 is one of the most discussed social issues in the country. Often appears alongside 少子化 (shoushika, declining birth rate) and 高齢化 (koureika, ageing population). The related term 合計特殊出生率 refers to the total fertility rate.

Examples

1. 日本の出生率は年々低下している。 Japan's birth rate has been declining year by year.
2. 出生率の低下が深刻な社会問題になっている。 The decline in the birth rate has become a serious social problem.
3. この地域の出生率は全国平均を上回っている。 The birth rate in this region is above the national average.

Usage Guide

Context: demographics, news, social policy

Tone: academic

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 出 (shutsu, come out) + 生 (shou, birth/life) + 率 (ritsu, rate/ratio). Literally 'birth-emergence rate.'

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal