China reports population decline for third consecutive year in 2024

China's population decreased for the third consecutive year in 2024, reaching 1.408 billion, down from 1.410 billion in 2023. This decline follows over six decades of growth and comes as the country faces low birth rates and an ageing population. The birth rate slightly increased to 6.77 per 1,000 people, attributed to women who delayed childbirth during the pandemic. However, experts predict this uptick will not last, as the number of women of childbearing age is expected to decline significantly. China's population aged 60 and over rose to 310.31 million, nearing a quarter of the total population. Officials have begun raising the retirement age, which had remained unchanged for decades, in response to the demographic challenges facing the country.