China’s population falls for fourth straight year as births lag deaths

China’s population fell for a fourth consecutive year in 2025 as deaths again outnumbered births, the government said. There were 7.92 million births in 2025, down from 9.54 million in 2024, while deaths rose to 11.31 million; official data released alongside economic figures showed China’s economy grew 5 percent in 2025.

Despite sweeping efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to boost births, the measures have largely failed. Xi Jinping has called for a "new type of marriage and childbearing culture," and local officials have adopted measures including tracking women’s menstrual cycles and issuing guidelines to reduce medically unnecessary abortions.

On Jan. 1, officials imposed a 13 percent value-added tax on contraceptive drugs and condoms, a move the public immediately interpreted as another attempt to encourage more children. Public reaction ranged from indifference to mockery. Jonathan Zhu, 28, said the price increase would have little effect: "I'll still use them," citing financial pressure as his reason for delaying fatherhood until marriage, and his girlfriend Hu Tingyan, 26, said she did not feel the time was right.

A lawyer, Ke Chaozhen, mocked the policy on social media, and some critical comments were scrubbed by state-directed censors.

Key Topics

World, China, Xi Jinping, Chinese Communist Party, Population Decline, Fertility Rate