Overview
- China’s population stood at about 1.404 billion in 2025, roughly 3 million fewer than in 2024, marking a fourth consecutive annual decline.
- The country recorded 7.92 million births versus 11.31 million deaths, underscoring a widening natural decrease.
- The crude birth rate dropped to 5.63 per 1,000 people, the lowest since 1949, and experts estimate total fertility near one, far below replacement.
- People aged 60 and over reached about 323 million, or roughly 23% of the population, heightening pressure on pensions and the labor supply.
- Policy steps—3,600‑yuan per‑child subsidies, a new 13% VAT on contraceptives, tax relief for childcare and matchmaking, and higher retirement ages—have so far shown limited effect.