The Japanese labor ministry estimates the country’s working population could decrease to less than 8 million by 2030 if the economic growth rate remains low.
Officials at the ministry’s study panel on employment measures released their estimation of Japan’s future available workforce. The report is causing concerns about labor shortage in some prefectures in the future.
The study panel estimates that in 2030, job-holders would total 55.61-million. That’s 12 percent less, or down by 7.9 million from last year’s average figure of 63.51 million.
In 8 prefectures, the working population is estimated to decrease by more than 20 percent.
Industry-wise, the number of job-holders in medical service and social welfare fields in Japan is estimated to increase by 1.63-million due to the aging population.
On the other hand, the number of people working in wholesale and retail businesses is estimated to decrease by 2.53-million, and the figure in the manufacturing industry to be down by 1.3-million.
Meanwhile, if the country’s economy grows at around annual 2 percent, and measures are implemented to strongly promote employment of elderly and women, the panel estimates that the decrease in the number of job-holders in 15 years would be limited to 1.82 million.
The labor ministry says it plans to make use of the estimates to map out future measures, such as those for helping elderly and women landing jobs.
Source and image: NHK
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