Poverty and living standards in Kobe, Japan: official figures
43.4% of private households in Kobe were one-person households at the 2020 census (318,372), 22nd highest of 262 cities, above the national figure (38.0%).
How many older people live alone in Kobe?
13.9% of private households in Kobe were people aged 65 or over living alone at the 2020 census (101,752 households), 48th highest of 262 cities, above the national figure (12.1%).
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many elderly couples live alone in Kobe?
87,612 households in Kobe were couples living alone together with the husband aged 65 or over and the wife 60 or over, and 156,019 were nuclear-family households including someone aged 65 or over (2020 census).
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many people rent their home in Kobe?
38.1% of occupied homes in Kobe were rented in 2023 (278,100 of 730,600) and 58.0% were owned, with rented share 64th highest of 262 cities.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow big are homes in Kobe?
The average home in Kobe had 77.5 square metres of floor space in 2023, 44th lowest of 262 cities.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many homes in Kobe lack flush toilets?
1,584 residents of Kobe (about 0.1% of the population) were not on flush toilets in 2023: they used vault toilets emptied by the municipality or treated waste themselves.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow Kobe compares with other cities in Japan
Older people (65+) living alone, share of private households (2020 census)
Kobe ranks 48 of 262, highest first.
| Rank | City | Older people (65+) living alone, share of private households |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Tachikawa | 14.0% |
| 46 | Higashiosaka | 14.0% |
| 47 | Habikino | 13.9% |
| 48 | Kobe | 13.9% |
| 49 | Tomakomai | 13.9% |
| 50 | Obihiro | 13.8% |
| 51 | Kamakura | 13.8% |
Rented homes, share of occupied homes (2023)
Kobe ranks 64 of 262, highest first.
| Rank | City | Rented homes, share of occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 61 | Yamato | 38.7% |
| 62 | Yamaguchi | 38.5% |
| 63 | Mito | 38.2% |
| 64 | Kobe | 38.1% |
| 65 | Kushiro | 38.0% |
| 66 | Itami | 38.0% |
| 67 | Tokushima | 37.9% |
Average floor space per home (square metres) (2023)
Kobe ranks 219 of 262, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average floor space per home (square metres) |
|---|---|---|
| 216 | Hachioji | 78.3 |
| 217 | Niiza | 77.7 |
| 218 | Okinawa | 77.7 |
| 219 | Kobe | 77.5 |
| 220 | Sagamihara | 77.4 |
| 221 | Narashino | 77.0 |
| 222 | Higashimurayama | 77.0 |
More on Kobe: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · all cities in Japan
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…)
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