Part 5/11:
Compounding this crisis is the decline in marriage rates, which contributes directly to lower birth rates. In 2024, only 720,000 babies were born, marking the lowest number since record-keeping began in 1899. The weddings that do occur often feature a balance of younger couples alongside an influx of visitors from other countries—many of whom are not settling in Japan to raise families.
The overall marriage rate is closely linked with financial security, particularly in a country where wage stagnation has persisted for over three decades. This economic stagnation creates a generation of men who feel disqualified as viable marriage candidates, further straining Japan's demographics and future family structures.