Finally, remaining single and other alternative life-styles have become more socially acceptable. The ratio of unmar- ried men between ages 35 and 39 to all men increased from 3.1 percent in 1955 to 19.0 percent in 1990 and the ratio for women from 3.9 percent to 7.5 percent. We do not foresee a fundamental change in these conditions and therefore believe that the fertility rate assumption for the medium estimate is high. The low estimate seems more realistic, implying an aged dependency rate of 60 percent by 2050. However, because the projections of public program costs are based on the medium scenario, it is used in subsequent portions of this discussion unless otherwise indicated.
Net immigration has a negligible influence on the age profile of Japan's population.
In recent years the large appreciation of the yen has brought an influx of foreign workers. Still, this is just 0.5 percent of the working population in Japan. Japan has never seriously considered immigration as a policy to moderate pop- ulation aging, and the increase in net immigration is not taken into account in the population projection. Although many still live with their children, Japan's elderly have become more financially independent. The averages can be misleading, however.