China records lowest birthrate since 1949

China’s birthrate fell to its lowest level since 1949 last year, accelerating a population decline that has now continued for four consecutive years, official data showed.

China’s birth rate dropped to 5.63 per 1,000 people in 2025, the lowest level since national records began in 1949, according to data released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics.

The data showed mainland China’s population declined from 1.40828 billion in 2024 to 1.40489 billion in 2025, a decrease of 3.39 million. The population has now fallen for three consecutive years, after first beginning to shrink in 2022 for the first time since the early 1960s.

Births continued to fall sharply. In 2025, 7.92 million babies were born, down 16.9% from 9.54 million in 2024. The birth rate declined from 6.77 per 1,000 people to 5.63 per 1,000, setting a new record low.

Deaths increased over the same period. China recorded 11.31 million deaths in 2025, up 3.4% from 10.93 million a year earlier. The death rate rose to 8.04 per 1,000 from 7.76 per 1,000, while the natural population growth rate fell to minus 2.41 per 1,000.

China’s male population stood at 716.85 million, while the female population totalled 688.04 million.

The ageing trend continued to deepen. The working-age population aged 16 to 59 fell to 851.36 million, accounting for 60.6% of the total population. People aged 60 and above reached 323.38 million, or 23% of the population, while those aged 65 and over rose to 223.65 million, representing 15.9%.

Urbanisation also advanced. The urban population increased by 10.3 million to 953.8 million, while the rural population fell by 13.69 million to 451.09 million. Urban residents now account for 67.89% of China’s population, compared with 32.11% living in rural areas.

Analysts say the data point to a long-term demographic transition marked by rapid ageing and a shrinking workforce. Despite policy changes aimed at encouraging births, including allowing two children in 2016 and three children in 2021, birth rates have continued to decline as younger generations delay or forgo having children amid economic pressures and rising living and childcare costs.

Experts warn that sustained population decline combined with ageing is likely to weigh on China’s labour supply and economic growth in the years ahead.

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