Tokyo, March 15: A new survey report has raised concerns for the Japanese government amid declining birth rates in the country. According to the latest survey, a significant number of young people are now avoiding parenthood.
A survey conducted by Rohto Pharmaceutical in December 2025 found that 62.6% of unmarried youth aged 18 to 29 expressed that they do not want children. This figure is an increase from 56.6% in 2024, indicating a growing trend among youth towards a “child-free lifestyle.”
The 400 participants in the survey cited several reasons for their decision, with economic pressure, career impact, and concerns about the responsibilities of raising children being the most prominent. Many participants also reported increased anxiety from observing pregnancy and parenting experiences shared on social media.
When analyzed by gender, a higher reluctance towards having children was found among women, with 64.7% indicating they do not wish to take on the responsibilities of parenthood, compared to 60.7% of men. This marks the first time since the survey began in 2020 that the percentage of women surpasses that of men.
This trend has been steadily increasing over the past few years. In 2020, only 44% of young people expressed a desire to remain childless, but by 2023, this number had risen to over 50%, reaching 55.2%.
According to Japan Today, a spokesperson for the company stated that the results suggest society and workplaces need to provide better support and information to young people before they have children, enabling them to feel more confident in balancing family and career.
To address the declining birth rate, the Japanese government has launched several initiatives, including increasing childcare allowances, offering additional benefits during maternity and paternity leave, and providing financial support to families.
Despite these efforts, the situation remains concerning. According to the Health Ministry, only 705,809 children were born in Japan in 2025, marking the lowest level for the tenth consecutive year.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi referred to this crisis as a “silent emergency” in February, warning that continued declines in birth rates could severely impact the country’s economic and social strength.
Experts believe that unless Japan addresses the economic insecurity of youth, work-life balance, and social challenges related to family, the decline in population may accelerate in the coming years.