Japan survey: Economic anxiety drives gap in ideal number of children

A survey conducted by Job Research Institute reveals a significant gap between the ideal and actual number of children Japanese working professionals intend to have. While the most common ideal is two children (44.7%), the most common reality is one child (35.3%).

Approximately 78.9% of respondents stated that achieving their ideal number of children is difficult, primarily citing rising prices, high education costs, and uncertainty regarding future income. Furthermore, 71.2% of those surveyed prioritize economic factors over personal values when deciding on the number of children they will have.

Regarding the broader demographic crisis, 69.8% of respondents view the declining birthrate as a personal issue, largely due to its potential impact on the Japanese economy. Approximately 78.7% believe the situation in Japan will not improve due to trends such as delayed marriage and a decrease in marriage rates.