China's Population Declines For Second Year
China's population has dropped for the second consecutive year, with the National Bureau of Statistics reporting a decline of 2.08 million people in 2023, marking a 0.15% decrease to 1.409 billion.
This decline is attributed to a combination of a record-low birth rate and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. China experienced a nationwide surge in cases after the lifting of strict lockdowns in December 2022. Total deaths rose by 6.6% to 11.1 million, reaching the highest level since 1974. New births fell by 5.7% to 9.02 million, resulting in a record-low birth rate of 6.39 births per 1,000 people.
This decline reflects the ongoing repercussions of China's historical one-child policy, which was in effect from 1980 to 2015, and rapid urbanisation, making child-rearing expensive in cities. The situation aligns with trends in other low-fertility countries, making fertility decline challenging to reverse.
China's demographic challenges are also exacerbated by rising youth unemployment, falling wages, and a property crisis, leading to concerns about the nation's economic growth.
The economic fallout, including a looming pension system crisis, has prompted various local measures to encourage childbirth, but implementation issues persist.
President Xi Jinping's call for a new culture of marriage and childbearing seeks to address these challenges, but societal factors such as high childcare costs, job market uncertainty, gender discrimination, and traditional expectations are expected to hinder the desired impact.
