Japan reports surge in elderly dying alone as population ages

The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research projects that by 2050, 10.8 million elderly citizens will be living alone, with single-person households reaching 23.3 million.

The data also shows that 40% of the deaths were found within a day, but a significant number of bodies were found much later. (AP/File Photo)

Nearly 40,000 people in Japan died alone in their homes during the first half of 2024, with many going undiscovered for an extended period.

According to a National Police Agency report approximately 4,000 individuals were found more than a month after their passing, and shockingly, 130 bodies remained undiscovered for over a year.

Japan, which has the world’s oldest population, is seeing an increasing number of elderly individuals living and dying alone.

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The report states that people aged 65 and over make up more than 70% of those who died alone. While, the largest group among the deceased were those aged 85 and above, totaling 7,498 individuals.

The data also shows that 40% of the deaths were found within a day, but a significant number of bodies were found much later.

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Meanwhile, the Japanese government, grappling with a rapidly aging population and declining birth rates, has introduced measures to address loneliness and isolation among the elderly.

The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research projects that by 2050, 10.8 million elderly citizens will be living alone, with single-person households reaching 23.3 million.

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Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has expressed concerns about the country’s ability to function as a society due to these demographic shifts. This growing issue is prompting the government to seek solutions to manage the impacts of an aging population and declining birth rates.

(with inputs from BBC)

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