The nation's elderly population rose to 21 percent, or 26.82 million, of the total population of 127.76 million in 2005, up 3.7 points from the previous census taken in 2000, the internal affairs ministry said.

The population aged 14 and younger last year hit a new low of 13.6 percent, or 17.40 million, down one point from 2000. The same age bracket forms 14 percent of the population in Italy and 14.3 percent in Germany.

The Japan Times Weekly: July 8, 2006
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