China’s population has declined for the third consecutive year, underscoring the nation’s mounting demographic hurdles. Official data revealed that by the end of 2024, the population stood at 1.408 billion, a decrease of 1.39 million compared to the previous year.
China’s population decline mirrors trends across East Asia, where nations like Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong are grappling with plummeting birth rates. Three years ago, China joined Japan and several Eastern European countries in recording negative population growth, highlighting a shift that transcends borders.
The decline is attributed to various socio-economic factors. Rising living costs have discouraged young people from marrying or starting families, prioritizing education and career advancement instead. This delay or outright avoidance of childbearing, coupled with an aging population, has created an imbalance that even increasing life expectancies cannot counteract.
In response, the Chinese government has introduced measures to encourage higher birth rates, such as financial incentives and support for working parents. However, the high cost of living and changing societal attitudes toward marriage and family continue to present significant barriers.
As the world’s second-most populous country faces these demographic challenges, the potential impact on its economic growth and labor force is becoming a growing concern. Analysts suggest that sustained population decline could strain social welfare systems and slow down China’s long-term development.
China’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the demographic shifts reshaping societies worldwide, demanding innovative approaches to adapt to an aging world.
