Alarm bells ring for China, birth rate drops 17% in one year; what is the real reason?

News Topical, Digital Desk : China's population crisis is deepening. The number of children born in the country is projected to fall by 17 percent in 2025, with the birth rate reaching its lowest level since 1949.

According to government data, only 79 lakh children were born in 2025, whereas this number was 94 lakh in 2024, that is, 15 lakh births decreased in a year.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China's total population decreased from 33 lakh 90 thousand to 140 crore 49 lakh in 2025.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the country's population has declined. It is believed to be the largest annual decline, excluding the famine of 1959-61.

According to the data, China's birth rate will fall to 5.63 per thousand in 2025, while the fertility rate is estimated to be around 1. 2.1 is considered necessary to maintain a stable population.

Why is the population decreasing?

According to experts, this is largely due to the growing disinterest in marriage among young people. Marriages declined by approximately 20 percent in 2024, directly impacting the birth rate. However, a temporary improvement is expected with the relaxation of marriage rules in 2025.

According to Su Yu, principal economist for China affairs at the Economist Intelligence Unit, increasing economic pressure on young people, expensive education, the cost of raising children and the cost of giving up careers, especially for women, are the main reasons for the falling birth rate.

The situation is further exacerbated by China's rapidly aging population. Currently, 23 percent of the country's population is over 60 years of age, and it is estimated that this number will reach 400 million by 2035, reducing the labor force and increasing pressure on the pension and health systems.

Steps taken by the government

To manage the situation, the government has taken steps such as allowing two and three children, subsidizing 3,600 yuan per child, tax on contraceptives and tax exemption for daycare and matchmaking services.

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