China's Population Shrinks by 1.39 Million in 2024 as Deaths Outpace Births

Jan 17, 2025, 05:00 AM

China's population declined for the third consecutive year in 2024, with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reporting a population of 1.40828 billion by the end of the year, a decrease of 1.39 million from 2023. The country recorded 9.54 million births in 2024, an increase of 520,000 compared to the previous year, marking the first rise in births in eight years. The birth rate rose to 6.77 per 1,000 people, up by 0.38 per thousand from 2023, possibly influenced by the auspicious Year of the Dragon, which traditionally encourages higher birth rates. However, deaths totaled 10.93 million, outpacing births and leading to the overall population decline. The ongoing demographic challenges, including a rapidly aging population and a shrinking workforce, raise concerns over future economic growth. Experts warn that the population decline may accelerate in the coming years despite temporary increases in births.