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

China's population decreased for the third consecutive year in 2024, despite a slight increase in births. The population fell to 1.408 billion, down 1.39 million from 2023, as the aging population continues to grow. Births rose to 9.54 million in 2024, up from 9.43 million in 2023, but the mortality rate of 7.76 per 1,000 people contributed to the overall decline. The increase in births is attributed to new pro-natal policies and the auspicious year of the dragon. Authorities are implementing measures to encourage family growth, but challenges remain due to high living costs and changing attitudes among younger generations regarding family planning.