少子化(しょうしか)

しょうしか
noun
declining birthrate
1. declining birthrate, falling birthrate
The trend of decreasing numbers of children being born in a population.
少子化(しょうしか)が進(すす)んでいる。
The birthrate is declining.
少子化(しょうしか)対策(たいさく)が必要(ひつよう)だ。
Measures against the declining birthrate are needed.
少子化(しょうしか)で学校(がっこう)の数(かず)が減(へ)っている。
The number of schools is decreasing due to the declining birthrate.
日本(にほん)の少子化(しょうしか)は大(おお)きな問題(もんだい)になっている。
Japan's declining birthrate has become a major problem.
少子化(しょうしか)が続(つづ)くと、働(はたら)く人(ひと)の数(かず)が足(た)りなくなると言(い)われている。
It is said that if the declining birthrate continues, there won't be enough workers.

少子化(しょうしか) is one of Japan's most discussed social issues. The word combines 少子(しょうし) (few children) + 化(か) (transformation/trend toward).

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 少子化(しょうしか)対策(たいさく) (measures to address the declining birthrate)
  • 少子(しょうし)高齢化(こうれいか) (declining birthrate and aging population — often used as a set phrase)
  • 少子化(しょうしか)社会(しゃかい) (society with a declining birthrate)
  • 少子化(しょうしか)が進(すす)む (the birthrate decline progresses)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 少子化(しょうしか)の影響(えいきょう)で〜 (due to the declining birthrate, ~)
  • 少子化(しょうしか)に歯止(はど)めをかける (to put a stop to the birthrate decline)

CULTURAL CONTEXT:
Japan's 合計(ごうけい)特殊(とくしゅ)出生率(しゅっしょうりつ) (total fertility rate) has been well below replacement level for decades. This affects schools, the labor market, pensions, and rural depopulation. Frequently appears in news, political discussions, and policy debates.

Related Words

Related: 高齢化(こうれいか) (aging population)
core
Added 2026.1.16 9:27 · Revised 2026.4.7 11:46
04500/04807_shoushika