Karatsu: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Karatsu: Taxable income for municipal resident tax in Karatsu averaged 3.08 million yen per taxpayer in fiscal 2024, 9th lowest of 262 cities and below the national average of 3,933.7 thousand yen per taxpayer. It is income before deductions, so it is not take-home pay.
- Health in Karatsu: Karatsu had 13 general hospitals (hospitals other than psychiatric ones) in 2023, or 11.08 per 100,000 residents, 12th highest of 262 cities, above the national figure (5.60).
- Education in Karatsu: Karatsu had 33 primary schools with 6,215 pupils and 574 full-time teachers in May 2024.
- Poverty and living standards in Karatsu: 29.3% of private households in Karatsu were one-person households at the 2020 census (12,882), 33rd lowest of 262 cities, below the national figure (38.0%).
- Government budget and revenue in Karatsu: The municipal government of Karatsu took in 86.1 billion yen in fiscal 2022 (final accounts), 733,789 yen per resident, 5th highest of 262 cities.
What is the population of Karatsu?
Karatsu had 117,373 residents at the 1 October 2020 census (city proper). That is 50th lowest of 262 cities. The count includes foreign residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow big is Karatsu and how densely populated is it?
Karatsu covers 487.58 square kilometres (2024), of which 232.30 is habitable land. That is 241 people per square kilometre of total area at the 2020 census, 21st lowest of 262 for density.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyIs the population of Karatsu growing or shrinking?
The basic resident register recorded 113,890 residents in Karatsu in 2024, 3.0% fewer than the 2020 census count (all municipalities together: -1.4%). The register and the census are counted differently, so the change is indicative.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many children live in Karatsu?
13.6% of residents of Karatsu were under 15 (16,016 children) and 53.3% were aged 15 to 64 at the 2020 census; nationally the shares were 11.9% and 57.8%.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many households are there in Karatsu?
Karatsu had 44,192 households at the 2020 census, of which 44,011 were private households; that is about 2.66 residents per household (residents divided by all households).
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many foreigners live in Karatsu?
722 foreign nationals lived in Karatsu at the 2020 census, 0.6% of residents, below the national figure (1.9%).
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many babies are born in Karatsu each year?
Karatsu recorded 695 births and 1,884 deaths in 2023, a natural decrease of 1,189. That is 5.9 births and 16.1 deaths per 1,000 residents (national: 5.8 and 12.5). Births are by Japanese nationals registered in the city.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyAre more people moving into or out of Karatsu?
In 2024, 2,491 people moved into Karatsu from other municipalities and 2,887 moved out, a net loss of 396 (moves within the city and from abroad are not counted).
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many marriages are there in Karatsu each year?
Karatsu registered 395 marriages and 159 divorces by Japanese nationals in 2023, or 3.4 marriages per 1,000 residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyWho runs Karatsu?
In Japan, cities and towns are run by municipalities: Mayor and municipal assembly both directly elected for four years. Primary and lower secondary schools, welfare, waste, water, residents' registers, disaster response. Large 'designated cities' (20) take on prefectural tasks and are divided into administrative wards whose heads are officials, not elected.
How local power works in Japan
Cities of a similar size in Japan
- Kirishima 123,135
- Yatsushiro 123,067
- Ise 122,765
- Tsuruoka 122,347
- Ebetsu 121,056
- Kashihara 120,922
- Kadoma 119,764
- Daito 119,367
- Nobeoka 118,394
- Handa 117,884
- Matsubara 117,641
- Aizuwakamatsu 117,376
- Konosu 116,828
- Ikoma 116,675
- Sano 116,228
- Niihama 115,938
Up a level: all cities in Japan · Japan · government and power
Sources
- Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: Statistical Observations of Municipalities 2026 (social and demographic statistics, city, ward, town and village data), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2cb3d8c51aa1…)
- Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: Statistical Observations of Prefectures 2026 (national figures, "All Japan" row), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b69774a5f40c…)
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