China’s population has fallen for the third consecutive year, leading to demographic challenges such as an aging population and a shortage of working-age individuals. The country’s population stood at 1.408 billion at the end of 2024, a decline of 1.39 million from the previous year. This trend is not unique to China, as nations in East Asia, such as Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong, are also experiencing declining birth rates.
The reasons for this population decline are attributed to rising living costs, causing young people to delay marriage and childbirth in favor of pursuing education and careers. China’s strict immigration policies also contribute to the population decline. Historically, China has faced challenges related to its population, including the implementation of the controversial “one-child policy” in the past to control population growth.
Efforts to address the declining birth rate, such as government incentives for having children and financial help with housing costs, have had limited success. The aging population in China is a concern, with over 22% of the population being 60 or older. This has led to discussions about increasing the official retirement age and repurposing vacant schools and kindergartens as care facilities for older people.
As China faces these demographic challenges, there are concerns about social instability due to a gender imbalance and the economic impact of a declining workforce. The country’s social security system is under strain, and there are predictions that China may “grow old before it grows rich.” Despite efforts to stimulate population growth, China’s demographic challenges remain a major concern for the government.
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