East Asia

Population of Osaka (Japan)

08/04/2025
Population Information

Osaka population (city of Japanese) is about 18,9 million people, the second most populous urban area in Japan and the 2th most populous in the world.

Total population

The total population of the Osaka (Keihanshin) metropolitan area in 2025 is estimated at 18,9 million, based on data from the World Population Review and trends from the United Nations.

In 2020, the population of this area was 19,34 million (UN Data), and by 2023 it will decrease to about 19,06 million (World Population Review). This metropolitan area has an area of ​​about 13.000 km², with population density about 1.454 people/km².

From 2020 to 2025, the population will decrease by about 440.000 people, at an average rate of 0,4-0,5% per year, due to the extremely low birth rate (estimated at 1,2-1,3 children per woman in 2023) and population aging. Osaka is the economic center of western Japan, but it cannot reverse the national population decline trend.

Gender structure

Specific data for the Osaka metropolitan area in 2025 has not been released, but based on the 2023 Osaka Prefecture trend from the Statistics Bureau of Japan:

  • Male: 48,5% (about 9,25 million people out of a total of 19,06 million in 2023).
  • Female: 51,5% (about 9,81 million people).

The sex ratio is 94 males/100 females, lower than the national average (95,5 males/100 females), due to women having a longer life expectancy (87,9 years compared to 81,8 years for men). Assuming this ratio remains stable until 2025, with a total population of 18,9 million, males will account for approximately 9,17 million and females 9,73 million. This difference is more pronounced in the older age groups, reflecting the characteristics of an aging society.

Population of Osaka (Japan)
Osaka City (Japan)

Age structure

The age structure of Osaka Prefecture in 2024, according to the Statistics Bureau of Japan, is:

  • Under 15 years old: 12,0% (about 2,29 million people out of a total of 19,06 million in 2023).
  • From 15-64 years old: 59,0% (about 11,25 million people).
  • Over 65 years old: 29,0% (about 5,52 million people).

By 2025, the proportion of people aged 65 and over may increase to 30,0% (5,67 million people), the proportion of people aged 15 and under may decrease to 11,5% (2,17 million people), and the proportion of people aged 15-64 may decrease to 58,5% (11,06 million people), due to low birth rates and increased life expectancy. The median age of the Osaka metropolitan area is estimated at 49-50 years, higher than the national average (48,4 years), reflecting a serious degree of aging. It is one of the oldest areas in Japan, second only to Tokyo.

Population change

Historical data from UN Data and World Population Review:

  • 1980: 17,03 million people.
  • 1990: 18,61 million people.
  • 2000: 19,30 million people.
  • 2010: 19,34 million people.
  • 2020: 19,34 million people (peak).
  • 2025: 18,9 million people (estimated).

From 1980-2000, the population increased rapidly (an average of 1-1,5% per year), due to urbanization and internal migration. From 2000-2020, the population stabilized at 19,3 million, but from 2020-2025 it began to decline (0,4-0,5% per year), due to:

  • Low birth rate (1,2-1,3 children/woman).
  • Mortality rate is higher than birth rate (estimated -0,7% natural increase in 2023).
  • Slightly positive net migration (140.000 people/year nationally, but not enough to offset Osaka).

Forecast

Osaka metropolitan area population forecast based on national and regional trends:

  • Short term (until 2035): The population could decline to 17-18 million, at a rate of 0,5-1% per year, due to population aging (35% over 65 years old) and continued low birth rates.
  • Long term (until 2050): The population could fall below 15 million, as the proportion of people over 65 exceeds 40%, and Japan's national population falls to 87 million (UN World Population Prospects 2022).

The Osaka government is promoting foreign labor immigration (3,32 million foreigners in Japan in 2023, accounting for 3% of the population) and birth-promoting policies, but the effectiveness is limited in the face of an irreversible aging trend.

Sources:

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