Age composition in 2026:
| Japan | South Korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Young Population | 11.05%13,524,677 | 9.82%5,065,881 |
| Working Age Population | 58.76%71,934,032 | 68.75%35,474,901 |
| Elderly Population | 30.20%36,969,021 | 21.43%11,059,607 |
In 2026, the median age is 51.2 years in Japan and 47.2 years in South Korea.Japan already reached South Koreaโs current median age in 2016, about 10 years ahead in population aging.
The total population of Japan peaks in 2009 at 128,192,471.The total population of South Korea peaks in 2020 at 51,858,481.
By 2050, the dependency ratio of Japan will be 95.0%, and 37.48% of the population will be elderly.By 2050, the dependency ratio of South Korea will be 90.5%, and 39.68% of the population will be elderly.
| Japan | South Korea | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic dividend (dependency ratio below 50%) | 1963โ2003 | 1987โ2029 | |
| Aging society (65+ reaches 7%) | 1970 | 2000 30 years later | |
| Aged society (65+ reaches 14%) | 1994 | 2018 24 years later | |
| Super-aged society (65+ reaches 20%) | 2005 | 2025 20 years later |