Translation guide
The concept of 'population' in Japanese is most commonly expressed with 人口 (じんこう), but other terms exist for specific contexts like organisms, statistics, or inhabitants.
東京の人口はどのくらいですか？
What is the population of Tokyo?
人口が減少しています。
The population is decreasing.
The number of people living in a specific area.
The standard word for human population. Used in statistics, demographics, and everyday conversation.
日本の人口は約1億2500万人です。
The population of Japan is about 125 million.
この町の人口は減少しています。
The population of this town is decreasing.
Refers to residents or inhabitants, often used when emphasizing the people living in a place rather than just the number.
この地域の住民は高齢化が進んでいます。
The population of this area is aging.
The number of individuals of a species in a biological or ecological context.
Used in biology and ecology for the number of individual organisms.
この森のシカの個体数は増えています。
The deer population in this forest is increasing.
Specifically refers to the number of animals living in a habitat. Common in conservation contexts.
絶滅危惧種の生息数を調査しています。
We are surveying the population of endangered species.
Sometimes used metaphorically for non-human populations, but 個体数 or 生息数 is more precise.
Using 人口 for animals can sound odd or anthropomorphic unless in a metaphorical sense.
The entire set of individuals or items from which a sample is drawn in statistics.
The technical term in statistics for the population from which a sample is taken.
この調査の母集団は全国の成人です。
The population for this survey is all adults nationwide.
Referring to the group of people who live in a particular area, often in a social or political context.
The most natural word for 'inhabitants' or 'residents'. Used in news, official documents, and daily speech.
住民の反対で計画は中止になりました。
The plan was canceled due to opposition from the local population.
Can be used when the focus is on the number of people, but 住民 is better for the people themselves.
This usage is slightly unnatural; 住民 is preferred when referring to the people, not the number.
人口 (じんこう) refers to the number of people, while 住民 (じゅうみん) refers to the people themselves as residents. Use 人口 for statistics and counts, and 住民 when talking about the community or inhabitants.
この市の人口は10万人です。
The population of this city is 100,000.
住民の多くが避難しました。
Many of the population evacuated.
In Japanese, 人口 literally means 'people count', so it is unnatural for animals. Use 個体数 (こたいすう) or 生息数 (せいそくすう) for wildlife populations.
The cat population on that island is larger than the human one.
この村の人口はみんな親切です。
The population of this village is all kind.