China's Population Drops for First Time in Decades as Birth Rates Continue to Fall

World News News

China's Population Drops for First Time in Decades as Birth Rates Continue to Fall
CHINAPOPULATIONBIRTH RATE
  • 📰 ChannelNewsAsia
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 71 sec. here
  • 10 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 56%
  • Publisher: 66%

China's population shrunk for the first time in decades, raising concerns about the long-term economic impact of a shrinking workforce and aging population. The country's birth rate, though slightly higher in 2024, remains significantly below replacement levels.

China's population experienced a significant decline in 2024, dropping by 1.39 million to reach 1.408 billion. This trend reflects decades of falling birth rates attributed to the nation's former one-child policy (enforced from 1980 to 2015) and rapid urbanization. While there was a slight increase in births in 2024, with 9.54 million births compared to 9.02 million in 2023, the number of deaths outpaced this growth.

This decline raises concerns about the long-term viability of the world's second-largest economy as the workforce and consumer base shrink. Adding to these concerns are the escalating costs associated with elderly care and retirement benefits, which are expected to further strain local governments already burdened by debt. The National Bureau of Statistics revealed that the birth rate in 2024 rose to 6.77 births per 1,000 people, up from 6.39 per 1,000 people in 2023. However, experts anticipate that this uptick will be short-lived, with birth rates likely to fall again in 2025. The drop in birth rates is linked to various factors, including the high cost of raising children in urban areas, job insecurity, a slowing economy, and traditional gender expectations that often place the burden of childcare on women. The government has implemented initiatives to address this demographic challenge, including encouraging marriage and promoting a positive view of family life in educational curricula. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen. By the end of the century, the number of Chinese women of reproductive age is projected to decrease by more than two-thirds, reaching under 100 million. Conversely, the retirement-age population, defined as those aged 60 and over, is expected to surge to over 400 million by 2035, from approximately 280 million currently

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

ChannelNewsAsia /  🏆 6. in SG

CHINA POPULATION BIRTH RATE ECONOMIC GROWTH DEMOGRAPHICS ONE-CHILD POLICY URBANIZATION

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

China Eastern to Launch C919's First Cross-Border Flight to Hong KongChina Eastern to Launch C919's First Cross-Border Flight to Hong KongChina Eastern Airlines will operate the first international commercial service using the COMAC C919, flying between Shanghai and Hong Kong starting January 1st, 2024. This marks a significant step for China's domestically developed aircraft as it seeks to compete with global giants like Boeing and Airbus.
Read more »

China Marks Fifth Anniversary of First COVID-19 Death in SilenceChina Marks Fifth Anniversary of First COVID-19 Death in SilenceThe fifth anniversary of the first COVID-19 death passed largely unnoticed in China, with no official commemorations. Despite the pandemic's devastating global impact, the Chinese government continues to censor discussion about its origins and the strict policies implemented during the early stages of the outbreak.
Read more »

China gives government workers first big pay bump in a decade to boost economyChina gives government workers first big pay bump in a decade to boost economyBEIJING — Millions of government workers across China were given surprise wage increases this week, people affected by the move said, as Beijing looks to boost spending to support the slowing economy.
Read more »

China to Test US Commitment to Philippines Alliance in South China SeaChina to Test US Commitment to Philippines Alliance in South China SeaThe South China Sea dispute escalated in 2024 with China's aggressive actions against Philippine vessels. The Philippines strengthened its alliance with the US and pushed back against China's encroachments in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). There are concerns that China will test the new Trump administration's commitment to the US-Philippines alliance, potentially leading to a major crisis in US-China relations.
Read more »

Biden meets Japan, Philippines leaders to discuss China's South China Sea actionsBiden meets Japan, Philippines leaders to discuss China's South China Sea actionsUS President Joe Biden held a virtual meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss trilateral maritime security, economic cooperation, and China's actions in the South China Sea.
Read more »

Philippines Protests China's 'Escalatory Actions' in South China SeaPhilippines Protests China's 'Escalatory Actions' in South China SeaThe Philippines has lodged a protest with China over the presence of its coast guard, militia and navy vessels in its exclusive economic zone, calling their actions 'intimidation, coercion and aggression'. The protest comes after two Chinese coast guard vessels, including one dubbed 'the monster', were spotted near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
Read more »



Render Time: 2025-02-06 22:22:13