Japan's population has been growing at its lowest rate since the end of the Second World War.

The latest census report showed Japan's population stood at 126.92 million, up 1.35 million, or a mere 1.1% from the last such survey five years ago.

The report raises fears that with a shrinking young workforce, the country will be ill-equipped to support the elderly.

The burgeoning elderly population - which includes those over 65 years - hit a record high at 22 million, or one in six people, in October.

Older mothers

The current census found the number of family members per household had dropped to 2.7 from 2.85 in 1995. It said that the nation's population - which comprised slightly more women than men - ranked ninth in the world and accounted for 2.1% of the global population of 6.06 billion. The decline in birth rates has been attributed to the trend of late marriages, as more women focus...