China Reports First Population Decline in Decades, With Over One Million Fewer Births in 2022

China has reported its first population decline in decades, with the total number of people in the country dropping by 850,000 in 2022.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the total population of China at the end of 2022 was 1.41 billion, with 9.56 million births and 10.41 million deaths. This marks a decrease of over one million births compared to the previous year.

The population decline is attributed to a slowing economy and widespread pandemic lockdowns, as well as the country’s strict one-child policy, which only officially ended in 2016. There is also a traditional preference for male offspring, which has resulted in a gender imbalance of 722.06 million men to 689.69 million women.

The population decline poses new challenges for the slowing economy, as the country’s aging population will put a strain on its resources. The government is now looking for ways to address the issue, such as encouraging couples to have more children and providing more support for elderly citizens.

The population decline is a significant milestone for China, and the government is now looking for ways to address the issue and ensure the country’s long-term economic stability.