By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BGTNBGTNBGTN
  • Home
  • TV Channels
    • 1 – Global TV
    • 2 – Mining TV
    • 3 – Sports TV
  • BRICS
    • B – Brasil
    • R – Россия (Rossiya)
    • I – भारत (Bhārat)
    • C – 中国 (Zhōngguó)
    • S – South Africa
    • BRICS Plus
      • A – Argentina
      • E – مصر (Misr)
      • E – ኢትዮጵያ (Ityop’iya)
      • I – ایران (Irān)
      • S – السعودية (Al-Su’udiyya)
      • U – الإمارات العربية المتحدة
    • BRICS Partner States
      • A – الجزائر
      • B – Bolivia
      • B – Беларусь
      • C – Cuba
      • K – Қазақстан
      • I – Indonesia
      • M – Malaysia
      • N – Nigeria
      • T – ประเทศไทย
      • T – Türkiye
      • U – Uganda
      • U – Oʻzbekiston
      • V – Việt Nam
  • International
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Hearts and Plates
    • Saudi Vision 2030
    • Business and Finance
    • Technology and Trends
    • Arts and Culture
    • Health and Lifestyle
    • Food and Agriculture
    • Travel and Exploration
    • BGTN Cares
  • Weather
Reading: China’s Population Decline Continues in 2024: Birth Rates Drop, Ageing Population Rises
Share
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
BGTNBGTN
  • Brasil
  • Россия (Rossiya)
  • भारत (Bhārat)
  • 中国 (Zhōngguó)
  • South Africa
  • Argentina
  • مصر (Misr)
  • ኢትዮጵያ (Ityop’iya)
  • ایران (Irān)
  • السعودية (Al-Su’udiyya)
  • الإمارات العربية المتحدة
  • الجزائر
  • Bolivia
  • Беларусь
  • Cuba
  • Қазақстан
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Nigeria
  • ประเทศไทย
  • Türkiye
  • Uganda
  • Oʻzbekiston
  • Việt Nam
  • Home
  • TV Channels
    • 1 – Global TV
    • 2 – Mining TV
    • 3 – Sports TV
  • BRICS
    • B – Brasil
    • R – Россия (Rossiya)
    • I – भारत (Bhārat)
    • C – 中国 (Zhōngguó)
    • S – South Africa
    • BRICS Plus
    • BRICS Partner States
  • International
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Hearts and Plates
    • Saudi Vision 2030
    • Business and Finance
    • Technology and Trends
    • Arts and Culture
    • Health and Lifestyle
    • Food and Agriculture
    • Travel and Exploration
    • BGTN Cares
  • Weather
Follow US
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
© 2024 BRICS Global Television Network. Newshound Media. All Rights Reserved.
BGTN > BRICS > 中国 (Zhōngguó) > China’s Population Decline Continues in 2024: Birth Rates Drop, Ageing Population Rises
BRICS中国 (Zhōngguó)

China’s Population Decline Continues in 2024: Birth Rates Drop, Ageing Population Rises

Nathan Coombs
Last updated: July 6, 2025 1:26 pm
By Nathan Coombs
4 Min Read
Share
Changsha, the capital city of central Hunan province.
Changsha, the capital city of central Hunan province.(SPH Media)
SHARE

China’s population has continued its downward trend in 2024, shrinking by 1.39 million people to a total of 1.4 billion. This marks another year of demographic decline, highlighting significant challenges for the world’s second-largest economy.

Contents
Demographic Figures at a GlanceGender and Age CompositionUrban and Rural Population ShiftsA Trend Years in the MakingCauses Behind the Population DeclineGovernment Response and Policy MeasuresEconomic and Social ImplicationsFuture Outlook

Demographic Figures at a Glance

A newly released report shows that 9.54 million births were recorded over the past year, compared to 10.93 million deaths, leading to an overall population decline. The country’s birth rate stood at 6.77 per 1,000 people, while the death rate reached 7.76 per 1,000.

Gender and Age Composition

Official data indicates that the male population is now 719.09 million, reflecting a 0.1% decline, while the female population remains relatively stable at 689.19 million. Meanwhile, the working-age population (16 to 59 years old) has dropped to 60.9%, equivalent to 857.98 million people—a 0.4% decrease from 2023. At the same time, the elderly population aged 65 and older has increased to 220.23 million, reflecting a 1.6% rise.

Urban and Rural Population Shifts

Urbanization in China has continued, with the urban population growing by 1.1% to 943.5 million people, while the rural population has shrunk by 2.5% to 464.78 million. This trend aligns with China’s long-term economic transition, as more people migrate to cities in search of better employment opportunities.

A Trend Years in the Making

China’s population started declining in 2022, marking the first decrease in 60 years. That year, the country lost 850,000 people. In 2023, the decline accelerated, with the population dropping by 2.08 million. This continued contraction signals deeper demographic and economic challenges ahead.

Causes Behind the Population Decline

Several key factors contribute to China’s shrinking population:

  • Falling Birth Rates: Rising living costs, shifting cultural attitudes, and career priorities have led to fewer couples opting to have children.
  • Aging Population: With life expectancy increasing, the percentage of elderly citizens continues to grow, placing a strain on social services and healthcare.
  • Economic Uncertainty: Younger generations are increasingly hesitant to start families due to economic pressures, housing affordability issues, and job market instability.
  • Effects of the One-Child Policy: Although officially lifted in 2016, the long-standing policy has had lasting effects on birth rates and family planning choices.

Government Response and Policy Measures

As China grapples with these demographic shifts, the government has introduced various policies aimed at boosting birth rates and supporting families:

  • Financial Incentives: Some cities and provinces have introduced subsidies, tax breaks, and housing benefits for families with multiple children.
  • Parental Leave Policies: Extended maternity and paternity leave benefits are being implemented to encourage child-rearing.
  • Workforce and Pension Reforms: Efforts are underway to delay retirement ages and reform pension systems to address the aging population crisis.

Economic and Social Implications

China’s demographic changes pose significant challenges to its long-term economic stability. A shrinking workforce could impact productivity and economic growth, while an expanding elderly population may increase healthcare and social security expenditures. The government faces a crucial balancing act in maintaining economic progress while adapting to these demographic realities.

Future Outlook

With birth rates continuing to decline and life expectancy rising, China’s population is expected to keep shrinking in the coming years. The effectiveness of government policies aimed at reversing these trends remains uncertain. However, addressing the underlying social and economic concerns will be essential in ensuring sustainable growth and stability for future generations.

China’s population decline is no longer a short-term issue but a long-term trend requiring strategic planning and policy interventions. The coming years will be critical in shaping the country’s demographic landscape and determining its global economic standing.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives in Russia for annual BRICS summit
WATCH: China population decline, Why citizens aren’t interested in having children
Today’s BRICS+ countries in numbers
WATCH: The Enigmatic Miran Ruins, a glimpse into Xinjiang’s lost civilisation and the vital role of sand control
Decline of vultures in India: a hidden ecological crisis linked to half a million human deaths
TAGGED:China
Share This Article
Facebook Flipboard Pinterest Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit VKontakte Telegram Threads Email Copy Link Print
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Surprise0
Shy0
Joy0
Cry0
Embarrass0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Previous Article A boy runs with a Palestinian flag inscribed with the Arabic phrase ‘We sacrifice ourselves for the nation’, at a camp for people forcibly displaced by the Israeli military in Bureij, in the central Gaza Strip, on Friday, as people prepared for the start of the ceasefire on Sunday Israel Approves Ceasefire Deal: Hostages to Be Released, Humanitarian Aid to Flow into Gaza
Next Article Microsoft logo Microsoft 365 Price Hike in South Africa: What You Need to Know
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
XFollow
PinterestPin
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
LinkedInFollow
TumblrFollow
ThreadsFollow
BlueskyFollow
RSS FeedFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Latest News

Jenna Clifford (1959–2025): South Africa’s Queen of Bespoke Jewellery
BRICS South Africa
Rutube: A Thriving Platform for Russian Content & Creator Monetisation
BRICS Россия (Rossiya)
New Development Bank and SANRAL Sign ZAR7 Billion Deal to Upgrade South Africa road infrastructure upgrade
BRICS South Africa
Unlocking Africa’s potential through bold collaboration and stronger investability
BRICS South Africa

You Might Also Like

BRICSBusiness and FinanceSouth Africa

BRICS bank approves $1 billion loan for water projects in South Africa

July 12, 2025
भारत (Bhārat)

WATCH: Third-time lucky for Chandrayaan, India successfully lands rocket on moon South Pole

July 16, 2025
InternationalBRICSभारत (Bhārat)

Indian billionaire Bhavish Aggarwal challenges Elon Musk’s Tesla

August 3, 2025
BRICS

Today’s BRICS+ Numbers

April 18, 2024

Our Partners

Ad imageAd image

Learn About BRICS

  • B – Brasil
  • R – Россия (Rossiya)
  • I – भारत (Bhārat)
  • C – 中国 (Zhōngguó)
  • S – South Africa
  • Saudi Vision 2030

Our World

  • A message from the Founder & CEO
  • Support Centre
  • Careers

Google Translate

BGTNBGTN
Follow US
© 2025 BRICS Global Television Network (Pty) Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Independent Media Platform. Unauthorized ownership claims or affiliations are unlawful.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?