CHINA’S POPULATION DECLINED FOR 3RD CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN 2024

Sun 19 January 2025:

China’s population fell for the third consecutive year in 2024, the data released on Friday showed, indicating that the trend is likely to continue in the world’s second most populous country even faster in the coming years, as well as a shortage of working-age people.

Last year, the population in China decreased by 1.39 million, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a statement.

The data showed that the population of mainland China decreased from 1.410 billion in 2023 to 1.408 billion last year.

However, the number of newborns increased by 5.7% to 9.54 million from 9.02 million in 2023.

Last year, the world’s second-most populous country recorded 10.93 million deaths, a 1.5% decrease from 11.1 million in 2023. The death rate fell from 7.87 per thousand to 7.76 per thousand.

According to the population distribution by age groups, the population aged 16 to 59, defined as working age, constituted 60.9% of the population (857.98 million), while the population aged 60 and over constituted 22% (310.31 million).

While the population growth rate has been decreasing since 2016, it is estimated to decline even faster in the coming years.

The government abandoned the “one-child” policy that had been in place since the 1980s, first increasing the limit to two children in 2016 and then adopting a law in 2021 allowing families to have three children.

__________________________________________________________________________

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22

__________________________________________________________________________

China’s population decline, reported for the first time in six decades, is a result of several factors. The One-Child Policy, implemented in 1980 to curb population growth, led to a significant reduction in birth rates. Although the policy was relaxed in 2016, the cultural and economic impacts persisted. Many couples hesitate to have more children due to high living costs, housing prices, and work pressures.

China’s aging population adds to the issue. With fewer young people entering the workforce and more retirees, there’s a demographic imbalance, leading to slower economic growth and increased strain on social services.

Despite government incentives like tax breaks, longer parental leave, and subsidies for families, these measures haven’t significantly reversed the trend. The situation mirrors similar challenges in other developed nations, but China’s scale makes it especially impactful, posing long-term challenges for the economy and society.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

__________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22