China’s Population Falls for Third Straight Year, Raising Demographic Concerns
China’s population fell last year for the third straight year, its government said Friday, pointing to further demographic challenges for the world’s second most populous nation, which is now facing both an aging population and an emerging shortage of working-age people.
China’s population stood at 1.408 billion at the end of 2024, a decline of 1.39 million from the previous year.
The figures announced by the government in Beijing follow trends worldwide, but especially in East Asia, where Japan, South Korea, and other nations have seen their birth rates plummet. China three years ago joined Japan and most of Eastern Europe among other nations whose population is falling.
The reasons are in many cases similar: Rising costs of living are causing young people to put off or rule out marriage and child birth while pursuing higher education and careers. While people are living longer, that’s not enough to keep up with the rate of new births.
Countries with Limited Immigration at Risk
Countries such as China that allow very little immigration are especially at risk.
A Brief History of China’s Population
China has long been among the world’s most populous nations, enduring invasions, floods, and other natural disasters to sustain a population that thrived on rice in the south and wheat in the north. Following the end of World War II and the Communist Party’s rise to power in 1949, large families re-emerged and the population doubled in just three decades, even after tens of millions died in the Great Leap Forward that sought to revolutionize agriculture and industry and the Cultural Revolution that followed a few years later.
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The One-Child Policy and Its Consequences
After the end of the Cultural Revolution and leader Mao Zedong’s death, Communist bureaucrats began to worry the country’s population was outstripping its ability to feed itself and began implementing a draconian “one child policy.” Though it was never law, women had to apply for permission to have a child and violators could face forced late-term abortions and birth control procedures, massive fines, and the prospect of their child being deprived an identification number, effectively making them non-citizens.
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The Lopsided Sex Ratio
That has been the biggest factor in China’s lopsided sex ratio, with as many as millions more boys born for every 100 girls, raising the possibility of social instability among China’s army of bachelors. Friday’s report gave the sex imbalance as 104.34 men to every 100 women, though independent groups give the imbalance as considerably higher.
Conclusion
China’s demographic challenges are far from over. The government’s efforts to boost the birthrate have had limited success, and the country’s aging population and shrinking workforce pose significant economic and social challenges. As China continues to urbanize, it will be important to address these issues to ensure a sustainable future for the country.
FAQs
Q: What is the current population of China?
A: According to the government, China’s population stood at 1.408 billion at the end of 2024.
Q: Why is China’s population declining?
A: The decline is due to a combination of factors, including a low birthrate, an aging population, and a lack of immigration.
Q: What is the government doing to address China’s demographic challenges?
A: The government has implemented various policies to boost the birthrate, including cash payouts for having up to three children and financial help with housing costs. However, these efforts have had limited success.
Q: What is the impact of China’s demographic challenges on the economy?
A: The challenges pose significant economic and social challenges, including a shrinking workforce, a rapidly aging population, and a lack of consumer markets.