China's population falls again as birthrate hits record low

China's population fell by 3.39 million to 1.405 billion in 2025 and births dropped to 7.92 million, marking a fourth consecutive year of decline.

China's population fell for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Officials reported a decline of 3.39 million, leaving a total population of 1.405 billion. Births fell to 7.92 million while deaths rose to 11.31 million. The NBS reported the birthrate as 5.63 per 1,000 people. Key figures: - Population dropped by 3.39 million to 1.405 billion in 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. - Births declined to 7.92 million in 2025, a 17% fall from 2024. - Deaths rose to 11.31 million, with a death rate of 8.04 per 1,000, the highest since 1968. - This is the fourth consecutive year that the population has shrunk. - Full official demographic data for 2025 will be released later this year. Summary: The reported figures show a continuing trend of population decline and an ageing population, as stated by the national statistics agency. Full official demographic data for 2025 is expected to be published later this year.