Beijing, January 17,2025: China announced on Friday that its population declined for the third year in a row in 2024, marking a continued downward trend after more than six decades of growth. The ongoing demographic shift reflects challenges posed by an ageing population and persistently low birth rates.
According to data from Beijing’s National Bureau of Statistics, the population stood at 1.408 billion at the end of 2024, down from 1.410 billion in 2023. However, the decline was less pronounced than the previous year, which had seen a more significant drop compared to 2022.
China’s demographic challenges persist despite government efforts to boost population growth. The country ended its decades-long “one-child policy” in 2016 and permitted couples to have three children starting in 2021. However, these measures have not succeeded in reversing the decline. Analysts attribute the low birth rates to the rising cost of living, the increasing number of women entering the workforce, and a growing focus on higher education and career advancement.
The ageing population poses significant challenges. People aged 60 and older now account for 310.31 million—nearly a quarter of the total population—up from 297 million in 2023, according to the latest data. By 2035, the elderly are projected to comprise nearly one-third of China’s population, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.
In response to the demographic pressures, Chinese officials announced plans in September to gradually raise the statutory retirement age, which has remained unchanged for decades and is among the lowest in the world. The current retirement age was set during a time of widespread scarcity and poverty, long before China’s market reforms brought economic prosperity and improvements in nutrition, healthcare, and living standards.
The population decline and ageing demographic are putting increasing pressure on China’s pension and public health systems, compounding the challenges facing the world’s second-largest economy. In recent years, China has also grappled with slowing economic growth, with its shrinking workforce and baby bust adding further strain to its social and economic structures.
As China continues to address its demographic challenges, these trends highlight the urgency of reforming policies to adapt to its rapidly changing population dynamics.
