An elderly man wearing a protective mask crosses a street in Tokyo on Jan 29, 2020. (BEHROUZ MEHRI / AFP)

TOKYO - Japan's population dropped at its fastest pace ever in 2019, with the number of working-age people declining to a record low, government data showed Tuesday.

READ MORE: Japan, short of workers, eyes pension age beyond 70

According to data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan's population decreased 276,000 to 126.17 million as of Oct 1 last year, which is the largest annual drop since comparable data became available in 1950, reflecting the rapid aging of society and low birth rate.

The number of working-age people between the ages of 15 and 64 was 75.07 million, accounting for 59.5 percent of the total population, the lowest percentage on record

The number of working-age people between the ages of 15 and 64 was 75.07 million, accounting for 59.5 percent of the total population, the lowest percentage on record. The proportion of the working-age population in Japan continued to decline after peaking at 69.8 percent in 1992.

Meanwhile, the number of people aged 65 or older stood at about 35.89 million, accounting for 28.4 percent of the total and reaching a new record high. Among them, people aged 75 or older totaled 18.49 million, or 14.7 percent of the total, also a new high.

The population of those aged 14 or younger was 15.21 million, accounting for 12.1 percent of the total, hitting a record low.

ALSO READ: Japan's aging society prompts redefinition of the term 'elderly'

Of all the 47 prefectures in the country, 40 prefectures saw their population decline. The remaining seven prefectures including the capital of Tokyo grew as the trend of people moving to urban areas continued.