Japan's population is expected to fall to about 100.59 million in 2050 after peaking at roughly 127.74 million in 2006 -- a year earlier than in the last report -- according to an estimate released Wednesday by an institute affiliated with the health ministry.
The National Institute of Population and Social Security Research based its projection on a decline in the estimated long-term birthrate to 1.39 from 1.61 in 1997. The actual birthrate for 2000 was 1.36.
The report shows there will be 35.86 million Japanese aged 65 or older in 2050, accounting for 35.7 percent of the population, up from 17.4 percent in 2000.