National Bureau of Statistics of China

China's Population Declines by 1.39 Million in 2024, Third Year Despite Birth Rate Rise

Jan 17, 2025, 02:55 AM

China's population fell for the third consecutive year in 2024, decreasing by 1.39 million to 1.40828 billion, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday. The urban population accounted for 65.9%, reaching 927.12 million, while the rural population stood at 481.16 million. The country recorded 9.54 million births in 2024, an increase of 530,000 compared to 2023, when 9.02 million babies were born. The birth rate rose to 6.77 per 1,000 people from 6.39 per 1,000 in the previous year. Despite the rise in births, deaths outnumbered births with 10.93 million deaths in 2024, continuing the trend of a declining population. The demographic shift highlights ongoing challenges for China, including an aging population and a shrinking workforce, which could impact its economic growth. The increase in births has been partially attributed to a 12% rise in marriages in 2023 following the end of the three-year Zero-Covid policy, which had previously led to delays in marriages and childbirth.