Concern as Japan's 2014 birth rate falls to record low

Japan's birth rate slumped to a record low in 2014.

The country's health ministry has showed figures dropping by nine thousand lower than in 2013.

The fall is the fourth in consecutive years and comes as the estimated numbers of deaths continue to rise, at just under one point 3,000,000 last year.

Some estimates say by 2050 the population could be as low as 97,000,000, 30,000,000 lower than now.

Experts warn the impact of the decline will harm Japan in various ways.

A lowering of the number of people aged between 15 - 64 is predicted to lower potential growth and shrink Japan's GDP.

That in turn is expected to harm the pension system and other elements of social welfare.

The impact in rural areas is predicted to be especially damaging, putting the very existence of some communities in danger.

 Another decline in the number of children is inevitable as the number of reproductive aged women is on the decline.

Government figures in April revealed that Japan's population shrank for the third year running.

BBC