Worldhealthdemographics News

Japan's aging milestone: centenarian count tops 100,000

Japan's Health and Welfare Ministry reports that the number of people aged 100 or older has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching 107,677 centenarians in 2026 with women making up about 88% of the total. The aging population is driven by longer lifespans and better health care, while a record-low fertility rate of 1.14 in 2025 and a shrinking population are expected to continue shaping policy and social safety nets in the coming decades.