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2h ago

China’s Population Shrinks for Fourth Year as Births Hit Record Low

Officials credit export strength for meeting the growth target despite record-low births.

Visitors flock to the snow-covered Forbidden City a day after the snow fall, in Beijing, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
A woman lifts up a child in Beijing, China, on Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
A visitor uses a smartphone to film the snow-covered Forbidden City from a pavilion at the Jingshan Park a day after the snow fall, in Beijing, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
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Overview

  • China recorded 7.92 million births and 11.31 million deaths in 2025, reducing the population by 3.39 million to about 1.4 billion, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
  • The birth rate fell to 5.63 per 1,000 people in 2025, setting a new low after 2023’s previous record.
  • Marriages dropped by about 20% in 2024 to roughly 6.1 million, a leading indicator that typically points to further declines in fertility.
  • Demographers say births could see only a slight and temporary boost following May 2025 reforms that allow couples to register marriages anywhere in the country.
  • Officials reported 5% GDP growth for 2025, while separate data indicated a record trade surplus of around $1.2 trillion.