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

China's population decreased for the third consecutive year in 2024, dropping by over 1.39 million to 1.408 billion. This decline occurred despite a slight increase in births, with 9.54 million babies born, 520,000 more than in 2023. The rise in births is attributed to the year of the dragon, considered lucky by some families. However, the total number of births remains the second lowest since 1949, highlighting ongoing challenges in reversing the declining birth rate. The Chinese government has acknowledged the issue and plans to support families with housing, healthcare, and employment. The shrinking workforce and growing elderly population may impact the economy and pension system in the long term.