China's population falls 3.39 million, nearing 1.4 billion threshold
China's population dropped by 3.39 million to 1.404 billion in 2025, edging closer to the 1.4 billion mark. The National Bureau of Statistics reported 7.92 million births and a natural growth rate of negative 2.41 per thousand, with the elderly dependency ratio exceeding the youth ratio for the firs
China's population shrank by 3.39 million to 1.404 billion last year, edging closer to dropping below the 1.4 billion mark as household sizes continue to decline, the National Bureau of Statistics reported.
The China Statistical Yearbook 2026 revealed 7.92 million births and a natural growth rate of negative 2.41 per thousand, with Tibet recording the highest birth rates while northeastern provinces ranked lowest.
Highlighting a rapidly aging demographic, the elderly dependency ratio hit 23.1 per cent in 2025, surpassing the youth dependency ratio for the first time as citizens aged 65 and over outnumber children under 14.