China’s National Bureau of Statistics is set to conduct a comprehensive nationwide sample survey in November to assess population changes and aid in planning population policies. The survey comes in response to China’s first population decline in six decades and its rapidly aging demographic. Beijing has been implementing various measures, including financial incentives and improved childcare facilities, to address the country’s flagging birth rate.
The survey will encompass both urban and rural areas across the country, with the aim of closely monitoring China’s population dynamics. The collected data will serve as a foundation for the Communist Party and the government to formulate policies related to national economic, social development, and population.
China last conducted its once-in-a-decade census in November 2020, revealing the slowest population growth since the 1950s. The specific number of people to be surveyed in this effort has not been disclosed.
The survey will commence on November 1, with government surveying agencies visiting households to gather data or asking respondents to complete online questionnaires.
Population development has been a key focus in Chinese state media, emphasizing its importance for the country’s strength and rejuvenation. Challenges such as high childcare costs, career interruptions, gender discrimination, and traditional gender roles have deterred many women from having more children or starting families. Despite recent rhetoric promoting shared childcare responsibilities, paternity leave remains limited in most provinces.
In 2022, China reported a population decline of approximately 850,000 people, marking the first decrease since 1961, which was the final year of the Great Famine in China. Addressing the declining birth rate and associated challenges remains a top priority for Chinese authorities as they strive to ensure sustainable population growth and address the economic and social implications of an aging society.
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