Population Falling For The First Time In 60 Years, What Is The Effect On China?
First population decline since 1961Deterioration of newborns is the main causeChina could lose its status as the most populous country in the worldFor the first time in 60 years, China's population will begin to decline in 2022.The surprising findings were announced by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) along with China's economic growth data on Tuesday morning.The mainland's population, excluding foreigners, will decrease by 850,000 people in 2022 to 1.4 billion, according to NBS.The country's statistics bureau added that Beijing reported 9.56 million births and 10.41 million deaths last year.Head of NBS, Kang Yi said the decrease in newborns is the main reason for this contraction. About 9.56 million babies were born in 2022, down from 10.62 million the previous year, the lowest level since 1950.Even so, he said this change in trend is not something to worry about since the country's labor supply is still greater than demand.A decline in population can act as a 'barrier' to economic growth by slowing demand for goods such as housing.In the wake of this fall, China's economy may struggle to overtake that of the United States and could lose its status as the world's most populous country to India this year.Meanwhile, the data also showed 62% of the population was of working age, which Beijing defines as people aged 16 to 59, down from around 70% a decade ago.This highlights the challenges the country faces as its population ages.
First population decline since 1961
Deterioration of newborns is the main cause
China could lose its status as the most populous country in the world
For the first time in 60 years, China's population will begin to decline in 2022.
The surprising findings were announced by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) along with China's economic growth data on Tuesday morning.
The mainland's population, excluding foreigners, will decrease by 850,000 people in 2022 to 1.4 billion, according to NBS.
The country's statistics bureau added that Beijing reported 9.56 million births and 10.41 million deaths last year.
Head of NBS, Kang Yi said the decrease in newborns is the main reason for this contraction. About 9.56 million babies were born in 2022, down from 10.62 million the previous year, the lowest level since 1950.
Even so, he said this change in trend is not something to worry about since the country's labor supply is still greater than demand.
A decline in population can act as a 'barrier' to economic growth by slowing demand for goods such as housing.
In the wake of this fall, China's economy may struggle to overtake that of the United States and could lose its status as the world's most populous country to India this year.
Meanwhile, the data also showed 62% of the population was of working age, which Beijing defines as people aged 16 to 59, down from around 70% a decade ago.
This highlights the challenges the country faces as its population ages.
