China's Birthrate , Hits Record Low As , Population Decline Accelerates.
'The Guardian' reports that China's population decline has continued to pick up speed, registering another year with record-low birthrates.
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In 2023, the total number of people in China dropped by 0.2%, equal to about 2.75 million people, bringing the nation's population down to 1.409 billion.
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According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the population drop surpassed the record set in 2022 of about 850,000 people.
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It is the first time China's recorded population has declined since mass deaths resulting from Mao-era famines.
2023 also saw China's total deaths rise 6.6% to reach 11.1 million, the highest level since 1974's cultural revolution.
Over the same period of time, births fell 5.7% to 9.02 million, the lowest ever recorded, at just 6.39 births for every 1000 people.
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'The Guardian' reports that China has been facing population decline for years, driven by previous population control policies and general reluctance to reproduce.
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Chinese officials fear this "demographic timebomb" could have a dramatic impact on the country's economy.
According to the state-run Chinese Academy of Sciences, China's pension system is on track to run out of funds by 2035.
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By that time, China's population of people over 60 years old is predicted to have increased from about 280 million to 400 million
