Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Japan

Japan: Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods was 52.8% in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)
52.8%
World rank
45th
of 113 countries
All-time high
62.7%
in 1986
All-time low
33.1%
in 2015
Years of data
23
1961–2021

Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Japan, 1961–2021

02040601961199120211961: 39.2 % of women ages 15-491963: 43.8 % of women ages 15-491965: 54.1 % of women ages 15-491967: 49.1 % of women ages 15-491969: 52.1 % of women ages 15-491971: 52.6 % of women ages 15-491973: 59.3 % of women ages 15-491975: 60.5 % of women ages 15-491979: 62.2 % of women ages 15-491984: 57.3 % of women ages 15-491986: 62.7 % of women ages 15-491988: 51.7 % of women ages 15-491990: 52.5 % of women ages 15-491992: 57 % of women ages 15-491994: 52.8 % of women ages 15-491996: 50.6 % of women ages 15-491998: 48 % of women ages 15-492000: 48.3 % of women ages 15-492004: 44.4 % of women ages 15-492005: 44.4 % of women ages 15-492014: 39 % of women ages 15-492015: 33.1 % of women ages 15-492021: 52.8 % of women ages 15-49

Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.

Analysis

The most recent figure for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Japan is 52.8%, measured in 2021.

The figure is up 35.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Japan peaked at 62.7% in 1986 and was at its lowest, 33.1%, in 2015.

That places Japan 45th out of 113 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 23 years of available data.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 47.7% 39.2% 54.1% 5
1970s 58.6% 52.6% 62.2% 4
1980s 57.2% 51.7% 62.7% 3
1990s 52.2% 48.0% 57.0% 5
2000s 45.7% 44.4% 48.3% 3
2010s 36.1% 33.1% 39.0% 2
2020s 52.8% 52.8% 52.8% 1

Countries ranked near Japan

  1. 42 Hungary 54.1% compare
  2. 43 Sri Lanka 53.6% compare
  3. 44 Jamaica 53.2% compare
  4. 46 El Salvador 52.1% compare
  5. 47 Indonesia 51.6% compare
  6. 48 Myanmar 51.3% compare

See the full ranking of 113 places →

More reference data data for Japan

All data for Japan →

Frequently asked questions

What is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Japan?
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in Japan was 52.8% in 2021, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in Japan?
The highest recorded value was 62.7% in 1986.
What is the lowest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in Japan?
The lowest recorded value was 33.1% in 2015.
How does Japan rank for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods?
Japan ranks 45th out of 113 countries with data for 2021.
Is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods rising or falling in Japan?
Over the last ten years it is up 35.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Japan data come from?
The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods
Unit
% of women ages 15-49
Source
Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
113 places, 1,022 data points, 1961–2024
Last refreshed

Estimated share of women using contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union. This is compared between modern methods and any method (modern or traditional).