China’s Population Declines for Third Consecutive Year, Posing Economic Challenges

China’s population decreased for the third straight year, reaching 1.408 billion at the end of 2024, a decline of 1.39 million from the previous year, Arab News reported.

This trend poses significant challenges for the government and economy, as the nation faces an aging population and a shortage of working-age individuals.

Rising living costs have led many young people to delay or forgo marriage and childbirth in favor of pursuing education and careers. Despite increased life expectancy, the birth rate has not kept pace, leading to demographic concerns similar to those seen in Japan and South Korea.

The country’s historical context includes the implementation of a strict “one-child policy,” which has contributed to a skewed sex ratio—currently 104.34 men for every 100 women—and a rapidly aging populace. Over 22% of the population is now aged 60 or older, and projections suggest this will exceed 30% by 2035, prompting discussions about potential changes to retirement age and social security systems.