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

China's population decreased for the third year in a row in 2024, dropping by 1.39 million to 1.408 billion. Births slightly increased to 9.54 million, but deaths outnumbered them at 10.93 million, highlighting ongoing demographic challenges. The rise in births is attributed to a 12.4% increase in marriages in 2023, but this trend is expected to decline in 2025. The government has introduced measures to promote marriage and family, aiming to address the population crisis. Urbanization continues, with 10.83 million more people living in cities, totaling 943.3 million. The aging population is growing, with those aged 60 and over reaching 310.31 million, raising concerns about future economic pressures.