China's population declines for third straight year as deaths outnumber births

China's population decreased for the third year in a row in 2024, dropping by 1.39 million to 1.408 billion. This decline is due to more deaths than births, despite a slight increase in births from a rise in marriages. The National Bureau of Statistics reported that the birth rate remains low, influenced by decades of the one-child policy and urbanization. Experts predict the population decline will continue, impacting the economy and local government finances. In 2023, marriages rose by 12.4%, leading to a temporary increase in births. However, demographers expect the birth rate to fall again in 2025.