China's population declines for third year despite rise in births

China's population decreased for the third consecutive year in 2024, dropping by 1.39 million to 1.408 billion. This decline occurred despite a rise in births, with 9.54 million babies born, about 520,000 more than in 2023. The government has implemented measures to encourage higher birth rates, including cash incentives and childcare subsidies. However, experts warn that the increase in births may be temporary, linked to the end of the Zero-COVID policy. China's fertility rate remains around one birth per woman, significantly below the 2.1 replacement rate needed for growth. This trend poses long-term challenges for the economy, particularly due to an aging population and a shrinking workforce.