Birth Trends Shift: Women in Early 40s Now Outnumber Early 20s in Childbirths—A Sign of Deeper Crisis Beyond Delayed Motherhood

In 2024, Japan recorded only 686,061 births—the lowest since records began in 1899. What shocked many on social media was that for the first time, more babies were born to women in their early 40s (ages 40–44) than to those in their early 20s (ages 20–24). The numbers: about 43,463 births from women in their early 40s, compared to 42,754 from those in their early 20s.

Experts say this isn't just about women having children later in life—it points to a much deeper issue in society.