FACTBOX-The outlook for Japan's ageing population

(Reuters) - Japan's population is ageing at an unprecedented rate, stirring concerns about economic growth and living standards.

Below are some key facts about Japan's people:

-- Japan's total population peaked at 127.8 million in 2005 and is forecast to fall by 30 percent to just under 90 million by 2055.

-- As of 2005, 20 percent of Japan's people were 65 years or older, while the working age population aged 15-64 accounted for 66 percent and children aged 0-14 for 14 percent.

-- The population over 65 will jump sharply between 2012-2014, when baby-boomers born between 1947-1949 will turn 65.

-- Population projection by the Japanese government, in millions (with percentage share in brackets):

Year 2005 2015 2035 2055

Total 127.8 125.4 110.7 89.9

Over 65 25.7 (20%) 33.8 (27%) 37.2(34%) 36.5(41%)

15-64 84.1 (66%) 76.8 (61%) 62.9(57%) 46.0(51%)

0-14 17.5 (14%) 14.8 (12%) 10.5 (9%) 7.5 (8%)

-- Japan's proportion of elderly is the highest in the world. In the United States, 12 percent of people were over 65 in 2003; in the United Kingdom, 16 percent were older than 65 in 2006.

-- Japan is suffering a pincer effect of longer lives and fewer babies. Japanese girls born last year can expect to live to an average age of 85.8 years, making them the longest lived in the world, and this is projected to climb to 90.3 by 2055. Males have an average life expectancy of 79.0 years, rising to an expected 83.7 year by 2055. The current life expectancy for Japanese men is second only to Icelandic men at 79.4 years.

-- The fertility rate, or the average number of children a woman bears, hit a record low in 2005 at 1.26 and recovered slightly to 1.32 in 2006. A rate of 2.07 is needed to keep the population from shrinking, demographers say.

-- Japan's latest government forecasts suggest there will be 1.3 workers per older person by mid-century, down from 3.3 in 2005.

Sources: Reuters/Cabinet Office, Government of Japan(www.cao.go.jp)/U.S. Census Bureau (www.census.gov)/U.K. Office of National Statistics (www.statistics.go.uk)