China's Population Shrinks Fourth Year: Policy Push Fails to Boost Births

• China's population declined for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, with deaths exceeding births, despite government efforts.
• Births dropped sharply to 7.92 million in 2025 from 9.54 million in 2024, while deaths rose to 11.31 million.
• Government policies like subsidies, housing incentives, and even a tax on contraceptives have failed to encourage more births.
• Young Chinese cite high housing costs, weak job prospects, and a slowing economy as reasons for delaying or rejecting parenthood.
• Demographers warn that China has crossed a threshold making population decline difficult to reverse, posing long-term economic and social strains.

Why It Matters: China's population continues to shrink despite policy interventions, driven by economic pressures and changing social norms.