Amid pandemic, new births likely to take a hit in Japan

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) - Japan has registered record low pregnancies amid the pandemic amplifying pressure on the government which is dealing with an aging population.

Figures released by the country's Health Ministry on Wednesday showed that Japan recorded 872,227 pregnancies last year, down 4.8% from 2019, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.

Given the data, the number of babies born in 2021 is “likely to fall below the 800,000 line for the first time” as not all pregnancies result in live births.

Japan has the world’s highest life expectancy and is facing an aging population with lesser new births. It also has the highest percentage of elderly people anywhere in the world.

The health care of Japanese citizens is covered under social security funded by the government besides pension for those who retire from public services.

Last year, the country witnessed a record-low birth rate as the number of babies born fell to 865,000 -- the lowest since 1899.

The worrying development is being linked to economic stress and tough employment situation amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Many women, who return to their families to give birth, might also have postponed pregnancies due to travel restrictions.

Last year, every month except for March showed a decline in the number of pregnancies, with the largest fall of 17.6% registered in May.

“The number of pregnancies has continued to decline into 2021, with the number dropping 7.1% in January from the year before to 76,985,” the ministry added.