Hokkaido北海道
Otaru 小樽市
Data last updated:
Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan has a population of 100,269 (2025 national census). IPSS projections estimate 91,079 by 2030 and 55,542 by 2050 (a decrease of about 50.1% from 2020), with the share of residents aged 65+ rising from 41.2% in 2020 to 53.1%.Sources: Japan Census (Statistics Bureau), IPSS Regional Population Projections (2023)
2025
(Census)
100,269
2030
(Projection)
91,079
▼ -18.2%
2040
(Projection)
71,968
▼ -35.3%
2050
(Projection)
55,542
▼ -50.1%
Change vs. 2020 census
Other municipalities in Hokkaido (北海道)
Data Sources
- Portal Site of Official Statistics of Japan (e-Stat)（https://www.e-stat.go.jp/）
- National Institute of Population and Social Security Research (IPSS), Regional Population Projections (2023 ed.)
* This service uses the e-Stat API but its content is not guaranteed by the Japanese government.
Otaru Population Table (1980–2050)
Population by year: national census results (restated to current municipal boundaries) and IPSS (2023) projections based on the 2020 census.
| Year | Population | vs 2020 | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 180,728 | ▲ +62.4% | Census |
| 1985 | 172,486 | ▲ +55.0% | Census |
| 1990 | 163,211 | ▲ +46.6% | Census |
| 1995 | 157,022 | ▲ +41.1% | Census |
| 2000 | 150,687 | ▲ +35.4% | Census |
| 2005 | 142,161 | ▲ +27.7% | Census |
| 2010 | 131,928 | ▲ +18.5% | Census |
| 2015 | 121,924 | ▲ +9.5% | Census |
| 2020 | 111,299 | — | Census |
| 2025 | 100,269 | ▼ -9.9% | Census |
| 2030 | 91,079 | ▼ -18.2% | Projection |
| 2035 | 81,306 | ▼ -26.9% | Projection |
| 2040 | 71,968 | ▼ -35.3% | Projection |
| 2045 | 63,298 | ▼ -43.1% | Projection |
| 2050 | 55,542 | ▼ -50.1% | Projection |
About Otaru
Overview
Otaru (小樽市) is a municipality in Hokkaido, Japan, with a population of 100,269 as of 2025.
Population Projection of Otaru
According to projections by Japan's National Institute of Population and Social Security Research (IPSS), Otaru's population is expected to reach 91,079 by 2030 (-18.2%), 71,968 by 2040 (-35.3%), and 55,542 by 2050 (-50.1%). The town is projected to lose more than half its population over 30 years.
Aging Rate of Otaru
The aging rate (percentage of residents aged 65 and over) is 41.2% as of 2020 and is projected to rise to 53.1% by 2050. More than half of residents will be seniors, placing the town in the "marginal municipality" category.
National Comparison
Otaru is experiencing one of the faster rates of population decline in Japan.
National and Prefectural Rank
- Population decline rate: Ranked #338 out of 1903 municipalities nationwide.
- Aging rate in 2050: Ranked #360 out of 1903 nationwide.
- Population size: Ranked #416 out of 1917 nationwide.
- Related: National rankings / All municipalities in Hokkaido
Earnings in Hokkaido (北海道): Average salary in Hokkaido (北海道) by age, gender and company sizejpsalary / MHLW Basic Survey on Wage Structure