China's population declines for third year as young people delay marriage and childbirth

China's population decreased for the third consecutive year, reaching 1.408 billion at the end of 2024. This decline of 1.39 million people highlights ongoing demographic challenges, including an aging population and a shrinking workforce. Rising living costs are leading young people to delay or forgo marriage and childbirth. The birthrate continues to fall, contributing to a growing imbalance in the sex ratio, with 104.34 men for every 100 women. Despite government incentives to encourage larger families, such as cash payouts and housing assistance, these measures have had limited success. Urbanization is increasing, with 10 million more people moving to cities, raising concerns about the future economic stability of the country.