高齢化(こうれいか)

高齢化(こうれいか) describes the demographic shift toward an older population. The suffix 化(か) indicates a process of change.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

• 高齢化(こうれいか)社会(しゃかい): aging society
• 超(ちょう)高齢化(こうれいか)社会(しゃかい): super-aged society
• 少子(しょうし)高齢化(こうれいか): declining birthrate and aging population
• 高齢化(こうれいか)が進(すす)む: aging progresses
• 高齢化(こうれいか)率(りつ): aging rate

CONTEXT:
Japan has one of the highest rates of population aging in the world. The paired term 少子化(しょうしか) (declining birthrate) is almost always discussed alongside it. Together, 少子(しょうし)高齢化(こうれいか) is a major social and economic issue frequently appearing in news and policy discussions.