DHAKA: Japan’s population fell by a record 244,000 in 2013, according to health ministry estimates released on Wednesday, highlighting concerns over an ever-dwindling workforce supporting a growing number of pensioners.

An estimated 1,031,000 babies were born in 2013, down about 6,000 from a year earlier, the ministry said, reports The Straits Times.

On the other hand, around 1,275,000 people died, up about 19,000 from the previous year, the highest annual rise since World War II.

As a result, the natural population decline came to a record 244,000, the ministry said, beating the previous highest fall of 219,000 in 2012.

BDST: 1430 HRS, JAN 01, 2014
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor