Aging Population

Because of the declining birth rates, increased longevity, and to a lesser extent the reduced numbers of young migrants to the city, the population of Tokyo-to is older than average than ever before. This is a common fact in entire Japan as well. According to official statistics, Tokyo-to now has more than double the percentage of its total population aged 65 years and older than it did quarter a century ago (9.4% in 1987 in comparison to 4.0% in 1962). The flip side to this is that the younger age groups have declined as well in terms of population between this time period.

There are distinct geographical patterns to the aging of the population within Tokyo-to. This, too, is a familiar pattern in urban areas in advanced societies. The center, particularly the older neighbourhoods wityh declining population totals, tends to have higher proportions of elderly residents. The populations totals in the periphery, which are the bedroom suburbs of Tokyo have a relatively younger population and families with young children. This inadvertently has probably led to certain urban planning being altered to cater to the needs of this population, with development of the new towns in the periphery of Tokyo.

Aged population is a growing concern in Tokyo

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