The line graph illustrates the percentage of the Japanese population in different age groups from 1960 until now, and projections for the year 2040.
Overall, the percentage of people aged 0-14 and 15-64 follows downward trends over the period shown. The opposite trend, however, can be seen in the percentage of those aged 65 and over.
Starting at about 65% in 1960, the proportion of people between 15 and 64 years old hovered during the next 40 years before falling to around 60% in 2018. This figure is predicted to experience a fall to about 52% by 2030, and finally will constitute around 55% of the total population of Japan in 2040. The figures for those aged 0-14 follow a somewhat similar pattern, which began at 30% in 1960 and is estimated to drop to about 10% by 2040.
In contrast, the percentage of Japanese people aged 65 and above was only 5% in 1960. However, the figures witnessed a significant increase to just under 30% in 2018, and by 2040, it is forecast that approximately 35% of Japan’s population will fall into this age group.