Post by : Meena Ariff

China’s population declined for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, dropping by 3.39 million to reach 1.4 billion, official data revealed on Monday. The country is facing its lowest birth rate since 1949, with only 5.63 births per 1,000 people, while the death rate rose to 8.04 per 1,000 — the highest since 1968.

The population decrease comes amid growing concerns over an ageing society and a slowing economy. The government has introduced several policies to encourage more births, including scrapping the one-child rule in 2016, allowing up to three children per family by 2021, and offering financial incentives like 3,600 yuan ($500) per child under three.

In addition to national incentives, some provinces provide extra bonuses and extended maternity leave. However, these efforts have yet to reverse the trend. A controversial 13% tax on contraceptives has also raised worries about its impact on family planning and public health.

China’s fertility rate remains among the world’s lowest at approximately one child per woman, far below the 2.1 replacement rate. This trend is mirrored in other East Asian economies such as South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.

Raising children in China is costly, which deters many young couples. Many also prefer a lifestyle free from the pressures of intensive child-rearing, with some avoiding parenthood to maintain personal freedom.

Experts warn that the population decline will continue, with United Nations projections estimating China could lose more than half of its population by 2100. The shrinking population poses significant economic challenges, including a shrinking workforce, weak consumer spending, and rising pension burdens.

Many elderly citizens now live alone or depend heavily on limited government support, while pension funds face depletion, leaving the country racing against time to secure care for its ageing population.

#Global News