Sasebo: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Sasebo: Taxable income for municipal resident tax in Sasebo averaged 3.20 million yen per taxpayer in fiscal 2024, 23rd 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 Sasebo: Sasebo had 18 general hospitals (hospitals other than psychiatric ones) in 2023, or 7.40 per 100,000 residents, 52nd highest of 262 cities, above the national figure (5.60).
- Education in Sasebo: Sasebo had 45 primary schools with 12,214 pupils and 910 full-time teachers in May 2024.
- Poverty and living standards in Sasebo: 36.1% of private households in Sasebo were one-person households at the 2020 census (37,357), 110th highest of 262 cities, below the national figure (38.0%).
- Government budget and revenue in Sasebo: The municipal government of Sasebo took in 138.9 billion yen in fiscal 2022 (final accounts), 571,040 yen per resident, 34th highest of 262 cities.
What is the population of Sasebo?
Sasebo had 243,223 residents at the 1 October 2020 census (city proper). That is 93rd highest of 262 cities. The count includes foreign residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyHow big is Sasebo and how densely populated is it?
Sasebo covers 426.01 square kilometres (2024), of which 208.28 is habitable land. That is 571 people per square kilometre of total area at the 2020 census, 68th lowest of 262 for density.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyIs the population of Sasebo growing or shrinking?
The basic resident register recorded 233,507 residents in Sasebo in 2024, 4.0% 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 Sasebo?
13.0% of residents of Sasebo were under 15 (31,507 children) and 54.2% 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 Sasebo?
Sasebo had 104,053 households at the 2020 census, of which 103,624 were private households; that is about 2.34 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 Sasebo?
1,611 foreign nationals lived in Sasebo at the 2020 census, 0.7% 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 Sasebo each year?
Sasebo recorded 1,541 births and 3,541 deaths in 2023, a natural decrease of 2,000. That is 6.3 births and 14.6 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 Sasebo?
In 2024, 7,374 people moved into Sasebo from other municipalities and 9,068 moved out, a net loss of 1,694 (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 Sasebo each year?
Sasebo registered 894 marriages and 390 divorces by Japanese nationals in 2023, or 3.7 marriages per 1,000 residents.
Source: Statistics Bureau of Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications · saved copyWho runs Sasebo?
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
- Nagaoka 266,936
- Yao 264,642
- Fuchu 262,790
- Fukui 262,328
- Kakogawa 260,878
- Hiratsuka 258,422
- Shimonoseki 255,051
- Tokushima 252,391
- Hakodate 251,084
- Soka 248,304
- Yamagata 247,590
- Fuji 245,392
- Chofu 242,614
- Chigasaki 242,389
- Tsukuba 241,656
- Matsumoto 241,145
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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