Birth rate rises for first time in six years

Improved economic prospects and more married couples likely explain Japan's first recorded increase to its birth rate in six years, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced in June. Demographic statistics collected in 2006 show a Japanese woman will have an average 1.32 children in her lifetime, a 0.06 increase on the previous year. The birth rate last rose in 2000.
Last year saw 1,092,662 births (up 30,132 on 2005) while 1,084,488 people died (up 692). Japan's overall population rose by 8174 people last year, turning around the population decline recorded in 2005.
In Australia, latest census data shows an average 1.81 births per woman.