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Thursday, Jan 22, 2026
Outside the box.
Japan's Elderly Population Living Alone to Reach 47% by 2050: Research
The number of elderly people living alone in Japan is projected to increase by 47% by 2050, accounting for 46.5% of all one-person households, according to a government-affiliated research institute.
This demographic shift will put significant pressure on Japan's social security system.
The total number of single-person households is expected to reach 23.3 million in 2050, making up 44.3% of all households, up from 38% in 2020.
In 2050, senior citizens aged 65 or older are projected to make up 46.5% of one-person households in Japan, up from 34.9% in 2020.
This trend is attributed to a decline in marriages due to a stagnant economy and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data shows that nearly one-third of Tokyo men in their 50s have never been married, and over 46% of men and 30% of women in their 20s in Japan have never dated.
Japan, which has one of the world's most advanced aging populations, has seen a decrease in marriages in recent decades.
The total number of single-person households is expected to reach 23.3 million in 2050, making up 44.3% of all households, up from 38% in 2020.
In 2050, senior citizens aged 65 or older are projected to make up 46.5% of one-person households in Japan, up from 34.9% in 2020.
This trend is attributed to a decline in marriages due to a stagnant economy and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data shows that nearly one-third of Tokyo men in their 50s have never been married, and over 46% of men and 30% of women in their 20s in Japan have never dated.
Japan, which has one of the world's most advanced aging populations, has seen a decrease in marriages in recent decades.
