The line graph compares the percentage of working-age people in France, the United States, Japan and Germany from 1960 to 2015, with projections to 2050.
Overall, all four countries experienced fluctuations, but the general trend shows a decline in the proportion of working-age population in the long term. Japan is expected to see the most dramatic decrease, while the United States is projected to remain relatively higher than the others by the end of the period.
In 1960, Germany had the highest proportion at about 67%, followed closely by the United States and France at around 62-63%. Japan started slightly lower, at approximately 65%. During the next three decades, all countries saw gradual increases, reaching peaks around 1990 or 2000. Germany and Japan both climbed to nearly 70%, while France and the United States rose to about 65-67%.
After 2000, the percentages began to decline. Japan’s figure fell sharply, dropping below 60% by 2020 and is predicted to reach just over 50% by 2050, the lowest among the four. Germany and France are also expected to decrease steadily to around 55%. In contrast, the United States shows a slower decline and is projected to remain slightly higher, at approximately 58% in 2050.