Population Characteristics of Japan and the Philippines

Eighteen Years Ago

In July 1993, Japan was over three times densely populated than most countries in Europe. It also represented twelve times the population density of the United States. This is a high population density compared to most of the countries in the world. Its population was about 124 million and seven hundred thousand people in the whole country. Considering the fact that Japan is a small country, this forms a very high population density for the country. At that time, there were 327 people per square kilometer. In 1989, 11.6 percent of the population was more than sixty-five years old (Isabelle 2005).

Now

Small families characterize the population of Japan. This is because of the increase in the awareness and use of family planning. The increased use of family planning has been a result of tough economic conditions for the people living in the country. Most people prefer to have small families which they will be able to cater for easily without much difficulty. The current birth rate of Japan is zero point three two percent (0.32%) which is the lowest in any country outside Europe. This shows that there is a decrease in the number of children being born in the country (U.S. Census Bureau 2003).

Nineteen years to come

The projection is that Japan will have twenty-five percent of the total population being people who are above sixty-five years. This will make Japan one of the countries with the largest number of people who are above sixty-five years. This is because there have been several measures that have been put in place to reduce the number of births in the country. The country has experienced a decreased birth rate as most people are not very keen on giving birth. Thus, the old people will replace the current youth generation as they grow up and reach their sixties. Because of the reduced birth rate, the number of young people will be significantly reduced (Sanderson, & Tan, 2009).

Population Characteristics of the Philippines

Five years ago

The Philippines was the most densely populated country five years ago with a total population of ninety million people. This had increased significantly from about seventy-six million people in the year 2000 to the current 96 million after six years. However, the original inhabitants of this country represented only a small fraction of the total population, estimated at zero point zero three percent (0.03%). The rest of the people are immigrants into the country. In 2006, the people who were below fourteen years represented about thirty five percent. The aged population, more than sixty-five years represented only four percent.

Current

The current population of the country, according to July 2010 is ninety eight million people. This is a small increase in the population growth which might have been contributed to the decreased rate of birth. The numbers of people who are over sixty five years represent about four point one percent (4.1%). However, middle-age is the majority of the population (Sedano 2008). The birth rate is two point six percent. This is a significantly low birth rate and in the future, there is a likelihood that the population will be composed of more elderly people than now (Tōkeikyoku, 2007).

Nineteen years from now

It is expected that the total population of the Philippines will increase by forty million people. This will be composed mainly of the older population as the birth rate has been said to be low at two point six percent of the total population. However, there is also the expectation that there will be more immigrants with many people moving into the country. This will be the one responsible for the increase in the numbers of people in the country in 2030.

References

Isabelle Attané. (2005). Chinese population challenges: fewer girls, more old people. Population & Societies, (416), 1-4.

Sanderson, W. C. &Tan, J. (2009). Population in Asia: World Bank regional and sectoral studies. United States: World Bank e-Library.

Sedano, F. (July 01, 2008). Economic implications of Mexico’s sudden demographic transition. Business Economics, 43, 3, 40-54.

Tōkeikyoku, Sōrifu (2007). Population of Japan: 1970 population census of Japan abridged report series. Japan: Bureau of Statistics, Office of the Prime Minister.

U.S. Census Bureau (2003). International Data Base. Web.