Current Population Estimates as of October 1, 2001

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Population Pyramid

(1) Total Population

Total population was 127,291 thousand, comprising 62,244 thousand males and 65,047 thousand females; 2,803 thousand more females than males.
Total population has increased by 365 thousand this past year. The rate of increase was 0.29 percent, exceeding that of the previous year (264 thousand persons, or 0.21 percent).
The natural increase was 219 thousand persons, with a social increase of 146 thousand persons. This notable social increase is viewed as resulting from the September 11 simultaneous terrorist attacks of 2001.

(2) Population by Age Group

The population aged 0 to 14 (child population) was 18,283 thousand (14.4 percent of the total population).
The population aged 15 to 64 (productive-age population) was 86,139 thousand (67.7 percent).
The population aged 65 and over (aged population) was 22,869 thousand (18.0 percent).
The decrease in population continued in ages 0 to 14 (down 222 thousand) and ages 15 to 64 (down 241 thousand), while the population of those aged 65 and over continued to increase (by 828 thousand).

Composition of Population/Mumber and Rate of Population Increase

(1) Population by Prefecture

Five prefectures had a population of six million or more: Tokyo-to, Osaka-fu, Kanagawa-ken, Aichi-ken, and Saitama-ken. There are four prefectures around the five million level, one of the three million level, ten of the two million level, 20 of the one million level, and seven with populations of less than one million. The top five prefectures, each with a population of six million or more, make up one third of the total population.

(2) Rates of Population Change

Kanagawa-ken had the highest rate of increase in population. Population increased in 25 prefectures.
A decrease in population was seen in 22 prefectures including Akita-ken.

(3) Population by Age Group

The ratio of the population aged 0 to 14 was highest in Okinawa-ken and lowest in Tokyo-to.
The ratio of the population aged 15 to 64 was highest in Saitama-ken and lowest in Shimane-ken.
The ratio of the population aged 65 and over was highest in Shimane-ken and lowest in Saitama-ken.
A comparison of the population by age group with the previous year shows that the ratio of the population aged 0 to 14 has declined in all prefectures except Tokyo-to; that of the population aged 15 to 64 has dropped in all prefectures, while that of the population aged 65 and over has risen in all prefectures.
There are three prefectures where the population aged 0 to 14 exceeds the population aged 65 and over. (Okinawa-ken, Saitama-ken and Aichi-ken).

Population for prefectures/Rates of Population Change

Percentage of Population by Age(3 Groups) for Prefectures