Japan’s questionable demographic future became even darker with the revelation that more and more of the country’s youth are apparently shunning the idea of marriage and having children.

According to the results of a survey by the Japanese government’s National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, 61 percent unmarried men between the ages 18 and 34 do not have a wife or girlfriend, while about 49 percent of the women in that group are completely unattached.

These figures have risen (by 9 percent for men, 5 percent for women) since the last similar survey was taken six years ago and are now at record highs.

Moreover, more than one-fourth of the men and 23 percent of the females said they are not even looking for sex partners.

The study also revealed that more than 25 percent of both unmarried men and women in their late 30s have never had sex.

An astounding 90 percent of unmarried young Japanese women said the single life suits them better than marriage.

Anecdotally, some respondents cited such factors as a lack of money for their refusal to date or marry, while others lament it is impossible to find a suitable mate after one reaches the age of 25.

Financial concerns, such as an increase in the number of people working in unstable jobs, are blocking the road to marriage, researchers at the institute said.

The data and attitudes therein raise alarms about Japan’s future, considering that the country already has one of the most rapidly aging populations on the earth, along with one of the lowest birth rates. By the middle of this century, Japan’s population could significantly contract.

Japan Aging Religion Japan