Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Japan
Japan: Urban and rural population projected to 2050 was 4.21 million people in 2050. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2050)
4.21 million people
Change on year
down 5.1%
World rank
81st
of 238 countries
All-time high
54.47 million people
in 1950
All-time low
4.21 million people
in 2050
Years of data
133
1000–2050
Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Japan, 1000–2050
Source: HYDE (2023); United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Japan is 4.21 million people, measured in 2050. That is the lowest value across all 133 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 5.1% on the previous year and down 34.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Japan peaked at 54.47 million people in 1950 and was at its lowest, 4.21 million people, in 2050.
Japan ranks 81st of 238 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Japan, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 5.83 million people | — |
| 1100 | 6.16 million people | +5.8% |
| 1200 | 6.35 million people | +2.9% |
| 1300 | 7.21 million people | +13.6% |
| 1400 | 9.12 million people | +26.6% |
| 1500 | 11.94 million people | +31.0% |
| 1600 | 16.25 million people | +36.1% |
| 1700 | 25.36 million people | +56.1% |
| 1710 | 27.55 million people | +8.6% |
| 1720 | 27.55 million people | +0.0% |
| 1730 | 27.55 million people | +0.0% |
| 1740 | 27.55 million people | +0.0% |
| 1750 | 27.55 million people | +0.0% |
| 1760 | 27.36 million people | -0.7% |
| 1770 | 27.17 million people | -0.7% |
| 1780 | 26.98 million people | -0.7% |
| 1790 | 26.79 million people | -0.7% |
| 1800 | 26.60 million people | -0.7% |
| 1810 | 27.29 million people | +2.6% |
| 1820 | 27.97 million people | +2.5% |
| 1830 | 28.64 million people | +2.4% |
| 1840 | 29.30 million people | +2.3% |
| 1850 | 29.96 million people | +2.2% |
| 1860 | 30.95 million people | +3.3% |
| 1870 | 31.93 million people | +3.2% |
| 1880 | 34.09 million people | +6.8% |
| 1890 | 36.97 million people | +8.4% |
| 1900 | 35.43 million people | -4.2% |
| 1910 | 38.98 million people | +10.0% |
| 1920 | 42.25 million people | +8.4% |
| 1930 | 46.60 million people | +10.3% |
| 1940 | 51.18 million people | +9.8% |
| 1950 | 54.47 million people | +6.4% |
| 1951 | 53.10 million people | -2.5% |
| 1952 | 50.12 million people | -5.6% |
| 1953 | 46.31 million people | -7.6% |
| 1954 | 42.57 million people | -8.1% |
| 1955 | 39.92 million people | -6.2% |
| 1956 | 38.55 million people | -3.4% |
| 1957 | 37.55 million people | -2.6% |
| 1958 | 36.75 million people | -2.1% |
| 1959 | 36.09 million people | -1.8% |
| 1960 | 35.42 million people | -1.9% |
| 1961 | 34.73 million people | -1.9% |
| 1962 | 34.10 million people | -1.8% |
| 1963 | 33.50 million people | -1.7% |
| 1964 | 32.94 million people | -1.7% |
| 1965 | 32.42 million people | -1.6% |
| 1966 | 31.87 million people | -1.7% |
| 1967 | 31.38 million people | -1.6% |
| 1968 | 30.94 million people | -1.4% |
| 1969 | 30.49 million people | -1.5% |
| 1970 | 30.03 million people | -1.5% |
| 1971 | 29.46 million people | -1.9% |
| 1972 | 28.75 million people | -2.4% |
| 1973 | 28.06 million people | -2.4% |
| 1974 | 27.54 million people | -1.8% |
| 1975 | 27.37 million people | -0.6% |
| 1976 | 27.51 million people | +0.5% |
| 1977 | 27.70 million people | +0.7% |
| 1978 | 27.89 million people | +0.7% |
| 1979 | 28.07 million people | +0.6% |
| 1980 | 28.20 million people | +0.5% |
| 1981 | 28.26 million people | +0.2% |
| 1982 | 28.26 million people | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 28.24 million people | -0.1% |
| 1984 | 28.20 million people | -0.1% |
| 1985 | 28.16 million people | -0.1% |
| 1986 | 28.14 million people | -0.1% |
| 1987 | 28.12 million people | -0.1% |
| 1988 | 28.08 million people | -0.1% |
| 1989 | 28.02 million people | -0.2% |
| 1990 | 27.96 million people | -0.2% |
| 1991 | 27.91 million people | -0.2% |
| 1992 | 27.85 million people | -0.2% |
| 1993 | 27.78 million people | -0.2% |
| 1994 | 27.71 million people | -0.3% |
| 1995 | 27.62 million people | -0.3% |
| 1996 | 27.54 million people | -0.3% |
| 1997 | 27.49 million people | -0.2% |
| 1998 | 27.43 million people | -0.2% |
| 1999 | 27.33 million people | -0.4% |
| 2000 | 27.17 million people | -0.6% |
| 2001 | 26.52 million people | -2.4% |
| 2002 | 24.80 million people | -6.5% |
| 2003 | 22.44 million people | -9.5% |
| 2004 | 19.98 million people | -11.0% |
| 2005 | 17.96 million people | -10.1% |
| 2006 | 16.45 million people | -8.4% |
| 2007 | 15.02 million people | -8.7% |
| 2008 | 13.72 million people | -8.7% |
| 2009 | 12.67 million people | -7.6% |
| 2010 | 12.02 million people | -5.2% |
| 2011 | 11.70 million people | -2.6% |
| 2012 | 11.48 million people | -1.9% |
| 2013 | 11.30 million people | -1.6% |
| 2014 | 11.15 million people | -1.4% |
| 2015 | 11.01 million people | -1.3% |
| 2016 | 10.87 million people | -1.3% |
| 2017 | 10.74 million people | -1.2% |
| 2018 | 10.61 million people | -1.2% |
| 2019 | 10.50 million people | -1.1% |
| 2020 | 10.38 million people | -1.1% |
| 2021 | 10.21 million people | -1.6% |
| 2022 | 10.03 million people | -1.8% |
| 2023 | 9.85 million people | -1.8% |
| 2024 | 9.66 million people | -1.8% |
| 2025 | 9.48 million people | -1.9% |
| 2026 | 9.29 million people | -2.0% |
| 2027 | 9.10 million people | -2.1% |
| 2028 | 8.90 million people | -2.1% |
| 2029 | 8.70 million people | -2.2% |
| 2030 | 8.50 million people | -2.3% |
| 2031 | 8.30 million people | -2.4% |
| 2032 | 8.10 million people | -2.5% |
| 2033 | 7.89 million people | -2.5% |
| 2034 | 7.69 million people | -2.6% |
| 2035 | 7.48 million people | -2.7% |
| 2036 | 7.27 million people | -2.8% |
| 2037 | 7.06 million people | -2.9% |
| 2038 | 6.84 million people | -3.0% |
| 2039 | 6.63 million people | -3.1% |
| 2040 | 6.41 million people | -3.2% |
| 2041 | 6.20 million people | -3.4% |
| 2042 | 5.98 million people | -3.5% |
| 2043 | 5.76 million people | -3.6% |
| 2044 | 5.54 million people | -3.8% |
| 2045 | 5.32 million people | -4.0% |
| 2046 | 5.10 million people | -4.2% |
| 2047 | 4.88 million people | -4.4% |
| 2048 | 4.66 million people | -4.6% |
| 2049 | 4.43 million people | -4.8% |
| 2050 | 4.21 million people | -5.1% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 4.21 million people is above the median for high income countries, which is 306,014 people, 13.7× the median. (85 countries reporting)
- Japan's 4.21 million people is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 306,014 people, 13.7× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Japan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1700 | +56.1% | 16.25 million people | 25.36 million people |
| 1600 | +36.1% | 11.94 million people | 16.25 million people |
| 1500 | +31.0% | 9.12 million people | 11.94 million people |
| 1400 | +26.6% | 7.21 million people | 9.12 million people |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 5.83 million people | 5.83 million people | 5.83 million people | 1 |
| 1100s | 6.16 million people | 6.16 million people | 6.16 million people | 1 |
| 1200s | 6.35 million people | 6.35 million people | 6.35 million people | 1 |
| 1300s | 7.21 million people | 7.21 million people | 7.21 million people | 1 |
| 1400s | 9.12 million people | 9.12 million people | 9.12 million people | 1 |
| 1500s | 11.94 million people | 11.94 million people | 11.94 million people | 1 |
| 1600s | 16.25 million people | 16.25 million people | 16.25 million people | 1 |
| 1700s | 25.36 million people | 25.36 million people | 25.36 million people | 1 |
| 1710s | 27.55 million people | 27.55 million people | 27.55 million people | 1 |
| 1720s | 27.55 million people | 27.55 million people | 27.55 million people | 1 |
| 1730s | 27.55 million people | 27.55 million people | 27.55 million people | 1 |
| 1740s | 27.55 million people | 27.55 million people | 27.55 million people | 1 |
| 1750s | 27.55 million people | 27.55 million people | 27.55 million people | 1 |
| 1760s | 27.36 million people | 27.36 million people | 27.36 million people | 1 |
| 1770s | 27.17 million people | 27.17 million people | 27.17 million people | 1 |
| 1780s | 26.98 million people | 26.98 million people | 26.98 million people | 1 |
| 1790s | 26.79 million people | 26.79 million people | 26.79 million people | 1 |
| 1800s | 26.60 million people | 26.60 million people | 26.60 million people | 1 |
| 1810s | 27.29 million people | 27.29 million people | 27.29 million people | 1 |
| 1820s | 27.97 million people | 27.97 million people | 27.97 million people | 1 |
| 1830s | 28.64 million people | 28.64 million people | 28.64 million people | 1 |
| 1840s | 29.30 million people | 29.30 million people | 29.30 million people | 1 |
| 1850s | 29.96 million people | 29.96 million people | 29.96 million people | 1 |
| 1860s | 30.95 million people | 30.95 million people | 30.95 million people | 1 |
| 1870s | 31.93 million people | 31.93 million people | 31.93 million people | 1 |
| 1880s | 34.09 million people | 34.09 million people | 34.09 million people | 1 |
| 1890s | 36.97 million people | 36.97 million people | 36.97 million people | 1 |
| 1900s | 35.43 million people | 35.43 million people | 35.43 million people | 1 |
| 1910s | 38.98 million people | 38.98 million people | 38.98 million people | 1 |
| 1920s | 42.25 million people | 42.25 million people | 42.25 million people | 1 |
| 1930s | 46.60 million people | 46.60 million people | 46.60 million people | 1 |
| 1940s | 51.18 million people | 51.18 million people | 51.18 million people | 1 |
| 1950s | 43.54 million people | 36.09 million people | 54.47 million people | 10 |
| 1960s | 32.78 million people | 30.49 million people | 35.42 million people | 10 |
| 1970s | 28.24 million people | 27.37 million people | 30.03 million people | 10 |
| 1980s | 28.17 million people | 28.02 million people | 28.26 million people | 10 |
| 1990s | 27.66 million people | 27.33 million people | 27.96 million people | 10 |
| 2000s | 19.67 million people | 12.67 million people | 27.17 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 11.14 million people | 10.50 million people | 12.02 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.56 million people | 8.70 million people | 10.38 million people | 10 |
| 2030s | 7.58 million people | 6.63 million people | 8.50 million people | 10 |
| 2040s | 5.43 million people | 4.43 million people | 6.41 million people | 10 |
| 2050s | 4.21 million people | 4.21 million people | 4.21 million people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Japan
More population data for Japan
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.5507 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.4984 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -5.09 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.4984 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.5% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 2.83 million people (2100)
- Population density 210.83 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.5% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2372 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.5891 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Japan?
- Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Japan was 4.21 million people in 2050, according to HYDE (2023); United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban and rural population projected to 2050 recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 54.47 million people in 1950.
- What is the lowest urban and rural population projected to 2050 recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.21 million people in 2050.
- How does Japan rank for urban and rural population projected to 2050?
- Japan ranks 81st out of 238 countries with data for 2050.
- Is urban and rural population projected to 2050 rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2023); United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban and rural population projected to 2050. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 133 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Number of people living in rural areas, combining UN estimates and projections with modeled historical data.