Japan’s population

The line graph illustrates the percentage of the Japanese population in different age groups from 1960 until now, and projections for the year 2040.

Overall, the percentage of people aged 0-14 and 15-64 follows downward trends over the period shown. The opposite trend, however, can be seen in the percentage of those aged 65 and over.

Starting at about 65% in 1960, the proportion of people between 15 and 64 years old hovered during the next 40 years before falling to around 60% in 2018. This figure is predicted to experience a fall to about 52% by 2030, and finally will constitute around 55% of the total population of Japan in 2040. The figures for those aged 0-14 follow a somewhat similar pattern, which began at 30% in 1960 and is estimated to drop to about 10% by 2040.

In contrast, the percentage of Japanese people aged 65 and above was only 5% in 1960. However, the figures witnessed a significant increase to just under 30% in 2018, and by 2040, it is forecast that approximately 35% of Japan’s population will fall into this age group.

(186 words)

Vocabulary

• Projection
• Follow (a) downward trend
• Opposite trend
• Predict = Forecast
• Consitute
• Follow a similar pattern
• Estimate