China’s Population Declines for Third Consecutive Year Amid Ageing Crisis and Low Birth Rates
China’s population continued its downward trajectory for the third consecutive year in 2024, marking a further decline after more than six decades of growth. The country, once the world’s most populous, was overtaken by India in 2023, highlighting the demographic challenges that China faces due to its rapidly ageing population and persistently low birth rates.
According to data from Beijing’s National Bureau of Statistics, by the end of 2024, China’s population stood at 1.408 billion, a slight decrease from 1.410 billion in 2023. While the decline was less severe compared to the previous year, when the drop was more than double that of 2022, it signals the ongoing struggles China faces to reverse its demographic decline.
In an effort to address the situation, China ended its stringent “one-child policy” in 2016 and introduced a three-child policy in 2021. However, these measures have failed to significantly reverse the trend, with many attributing the low birth rates to factors such as the rising cost of living, a growing number of women entering the workforce, and an increasing pursuit of higher education.
The ageing population is a growing concern, with projections indicating that people over 60 will comprise nearly a third of China’s population by 2035, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit. The latest data released on Friday revealed that the number of people aged 60 and above reached 310.31 million, accounting for nearly a quarter of the population, up from 297 million in 2023.
While China’s birth rate remains among the lowest in the world, it did experience a slight uptick, rising to 6.77 births per 1,000 people compared to the previous year. This minor increase has not eased the broader concerns about the country’s demographic future.
In response to the ageing population, officials have implemented reforms, including a gradual increase in the statutory retirement age, which had been set at 60 for decades and was among the lowest globally. The new rules, which came into effect on January 1, aim to ease the strain on China’s pension and healthcare systems as the country faces mounting pressure from its shrinking workforce.
China’s economic growth has slowed in recent years, further exacerbating the challenges posed by its rapidly ageing population. With fewer young people entering the workforce and an increasing number of elderly citizens, the country’s public health and pension systems are under growing strain, and the government is looking for long-term solutions to manage the effects of its demographic shift.
