Japan's child population hits record low for 44th year in row

Japan's child population has declined for the 44th consecutive year, falling to a record low, according to government data released Sunday.

As of April 1, the number of children under 15 years old -- including foreign residents -- stood at 13.66 million, down by 350,000 from a year earlier, Kyodo News reported, citing figures from Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

The share of children in the total population fell to 11.1%, the lowest since records began in 1950. Japan now ranks second-lowest globally among countries with at least 40 million people, behind only South Korea, where children make up 10.6% of the population, according to UN data.

Despite government initiatives such as expanded daycare services and increased family support, Japan has not reversed its birthrate slide, which has persisted since a peak of 29.89 million children in 1954. The only notable uptick occurred during a brief baby boom between 1971 and 1974.