China's Population Declines for Third Year

China's population has declined for the third consecutive year, dropping by 1.39 million to 1.408 billion in 2024, as deaths continue to outpace births. Despite a slight increase in births to 9.54 million, attributed in part to couples who delayed having children during the COVID-19 pandemic, the fertility rate remains below the replacement level. The National Bureau of Statistics noted that while the Year of the Dragon typically boosts births, this year’s increase is expected to be temporary, with predictions of lower birth rates in the future. Experts highlight that the underlying issues, such as an aging population and societal reluctance to start families, persist despite government incentives to encourage childbirth. Additionally, the demographic challenges pose risks to China’s economic growth, as insufficient domestic demand and production difficulties continue to affect the economy. The long-term trend reflects a demographic crisis that has been developing since the 1980s, exacerbated by the effects of the one-child policy that was formally ended in 2016.