National Bureau of Statistics of China birth rate report for 2025

China's Population Falls for Third Year to 1.408 Billion, First Three-Year Decline Since 1949

Jan 17, 2025, 03:30 AM

China's population declined for the third consecutive year in 2024, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday, marking the first time since 1949 that the country has experienced such a sustained decrease. The total population fell by 1.39 million from the previous year, reaching 1.40828 billion. Despite an increase in births, with 9.54 million newborns in 2024—up by 520,000 from 2023—the figure is still the second lowest since 1949. The number of deaths surpassed births, with 10.93 million deaths reported. The birth rate rose to 6.77 births per 1,000 people, an increase from 6.39 in 2023. Experts warn that the trend of population decline may accelerate in the coming years, predicting the population could drop to 1.36 billion by 2035, posing long-term risks for the country's economy as it grapples with an aging population and a shrinking workforce.