Japan’s aging population woes worsen after record low birth rate in 2014

January 2, 2015, 9:20 AM ET

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe walks back to his seat following a family picture during the ASEAN Plus Three Summit at the Myanmar International Convention Center in Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw on November 13, 2014. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asia summits, held in the purpose-built capital of Naypyidaw this week, are the culmination of a year of diplomatic limelight for Myanmar after long decades shunted to the sidelines under its former military rulers. AFP PHOTO / Christophe ARCHAMBAULT (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE ARCHAMBAULT/AFP/Getty Images)Photograph by Christophe Archambault — AFP/Getty Images

This post is in partnership with Time. The article below was originally published at Time.com.

By Naina Bajekal, TIME

The estimated number of Japanese newborns fell to just 1.001 million in 2014 compared with 1.269 million registered deaths, the lowest birth-rate ever recorded and one that exacerbates the East Asian nation’s ongoing struggles with an aging and shrinking population.

“The number of reproductive-age women is on the decline,” an official at Japan’s health, labour and welfare ministry told Kyodo News, leading to a subsequent drop in the number of children, AFP reports.

The government has warned that by 2060, nearly 40% of the population will be aged 65 or over. Data released last April shows it is already difficult for the East Asian nation of to support the elderly and pensioners who currently make up 25% of its population.

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