Is this Britain’s future too? With an ageing population and not enough babies, Japan is facing a crisis — and it is not alone.
Japan's old pick jail over life alone
Is this Britain's future too? With an ageing population and not enough babies, Japan is facing a crisis - and it is not alone.
The number of elderly prisoners in JapanAn island country in East Asia, with a population of nearly 126 million. is rising. Some of them break the lawA rule that everyone must follow. on purpose just to go to prison. Many of them are poor, with no-one to care for them outside of prison.
This is part of the crisisA very serious moment of great danger. Japan faces: a growing number of old people without enough young ones to look after them.
A country's populationAll of the people that live in a place. falls unless women have an averageTypical or usual. of 2.1 children. But in Japan, the average woman has just 1.3 children.
The main problem is that fewer young people are getting married. Many say they do not have enough money to start a family.
In Britain, the average woman has 1.75 children. So Britain's population is getting older too. This is a problem for the governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country.. More money is being spent on healthcare for the elderly.
And there is a loneliness problem too. Many older people go for weeks without talking to anyone.
Is this Britain's future too?
Yes! British women are having fewer babies. The cost of buying a house and feeding a family is very high. Soon, there will be lots of older people who do not have families to care for them.
No! Britain's birth rate is not as low as Japan's. And throughout British history, people have moved from other countries. Young immigrants care for older people now, and they will do for a long time.
Japan - An island country in East Asia, with a population of nearly 126 million.
Law - A rule that everyone must follow.
Crisis - A very serious moment of great danger.
Population - All of the people that live in a place.
Average - Typical or usual.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.
Japan’s old pick jail over life alone

Glossary
Japan - An island country in East Asia, with a population of nearly 126 million.
Law - A rule that everyone must follow.
Crisis - A very serious moment of great danger.
Population - All of the people that live in a place.
Average - Typical or usual.
Government - The group of people who govern - or lead - the country.