Poverty and living standards in Otaru, Japan: official figures
39.3% of private households in Otaru were one-person households at the 2020 census (20,657), 62nd highest of 262 cities, above the national figure (38.0%).
How many older people live alone in Otaru?
21.1% of private households in Otaru were people aged 65 or over living alone at the 2020 census (11,095 households), the 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 Otaru?
8,822 households in Otaru were couples living alone together with the husband aged 65 or over and the wife 60 or over, and 15,757 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 Otaru?
29.7% of occupied homes in Otaru were rented in 2023 (15,710 of 52,880) and 66.3% were owned, with rented share 107th lowest of 262 cities.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow big are homes in Otaru?
The average home in Otaru had 95.7 square metres of floor space in 2023, 126th highest of 262 cities.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow many homes in Otaru lack flush toilets?
1,933 residents of Otaru (about 1.7% 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 Otaru compares with other cities in Japan
Older people (65+) living alone, share of private households (2020 census)
Otaru ranks 1 of 262, highest first.
| Rank | City | Older people (65+) living alone, share of private households |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Otaru | 21.1% |
| 2 | Omuta | 19.2% |
| 3 | Hakodate | 18.4% |
| 4 | Kure | 18.2% |
| 5 | Beppu | 17.4% |
| 6 | Iwakuni | 17.3% |
| 7 | Kadoma | 17.0% |
Rented homes, share of occupied homes (2023)
Otaru ranks 156 of 262, highest first.
| Rank | City | Rented homes, share of occupied homes |
|---|---|---|
| 153 | Kishiwada | 29.8% |
| 154 | Akita | 29.8% |
| 155 | Ishinomaki | 29.8% |
| 156 | Otaru | 29.7% |
| 157 | Aizuwakamatsu | 29.7% |
| 158 | Yatsushiro | 29.6% |
| 159 | Handa | 29.6% |
Average floor space per home (square metres) (2023)
Otaru ranks 126 of 262, highest first.
| Rank | City | Average floor space per home (square metres) |
|---|---|---|
| 123 | Abiko | 95.9 |
| 124 | Takamatsu | 95.9 |
| 125 | Miyakonojo | 95.7 |
| 126 | Otaru | 95.7 |
| 127 | Shimonoseki | 95.5 |
| 128 | Kasugai | 95.0 |
| 129 | Izumi | 95.0 |
More on Otaru: 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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