China’s population fell for a fourth consecutive year in 2025 as births dropped to their lowest level on record, deepening the country’s demographic and economic challenges, according to official data released Monday.
Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics show China’s population declined by 3.39 million to 1.405 billion, a faster drop than in 2024. The number of births fell sharply to 7.92 million in 2025, down 17 per cent from 9.54 million a year earlier, while deaths rose to 11.31 million.
The birth rate slid to 5.63 per 1,000 people, while the death rate climbed to 8.04 per 1,000 — the highest level since 1968. Demographer Yi Fuxian noted that the number of births last year was comparable to levels seen in the 18th century, when China’s population was a fraction of its current size.
China’s population has been shrinking since 2022 and is ageing rapidly, complicating Beijing’s efforts to boost domestic consumption and manage rising pension and healthcare costs. People aged 60 and over now account for about 23 per cent of the population, a share expected to grow significantly in the coming decade.
Authorities have already raised retirement ages and rolled out measures to encourage marriage and childbearing, including subsidies and expanded medical coverage for pregnancy and fertility treatments. Despite these efforts, China’s fertility rate remains around one birth per woman, far below the replacement level, with experts warning the population decline is likely to continue for decades.