China's Population Plummets for Fourth Consecutive Year, Birth Rate Hits Record Low

• China's population decreased by 3.39 million in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of decline, reaching 1.405 billion.
• Only 7.92 million babies were born in 2025, a 17% drop from 2024, with the birth rate falling to a record low of 5.63 per 1,000 people.
• Deaths increased to 11.3 million in 2025, the highest since 1968, contributing to the population decline.
• The aging population is a major concern, with 23% over 60 years old; this is projected to reach 400 million by 2035, straining the pension budget.
• Factors like the 'one-child policy' legacy, urbanization, expensive lifestyles, and a record 20% drop in marriage rates in 2024 contribute to the low birth rate, despite government incentives.

Why It Matters: China faces a severe demographic crisis with a rapidly declining population and record-low birth rates.