Archive · 19 Jan 2026
China's Population Declines as Births Hit Record Low
China's population is shrinking, and fewer babies are being born.
In 2025, the number of babies born was the lowest since 1949, and the population decreased by 3.4 million.
The government is trying to encourage people to have more children by giving money to families with young kids and making it easier to get married.
However, many young people are not interested in having children because it is expensive and the economy is not doing well.
The government is also taxing contraceptives to try to reduce their use.
Despite these efforts, the population is still decreasing, which could cause problems for the economy in the future.
China's population declined by 3.4 million in 2025, the sharpest drop since the 1960 Great Famine.
The birth rate fell to 5.6 per 1,000 people, the lowest since at least 1949.
The number of newborns decreased by 1.6 million to 7.9 million in 2025.
The government offers cash subsidies of 3,600 yuan ($500) per child annually until age 3 and has imposed a 13% tax on contraceptives.
Demographic pressures include a shrinking workforce, aging population, and high costs of raising children in a competitive society.
- Who
- Chinese government and citizens
- What
- Population decline and record low birth rate
- When
- 2025
- Where
- China
- Why
- Deepening demographic and economic pressures, high costs of raising children, and economic downturn
- Population Decline
- 3.4 million in 2025
- Birth Rate
- 5.6 per 1,000 people (lowest since 1949)
- Number of Newborns
- 7.9 million in 2025
- Fertility Rate
- Estimated at 1 (below replacement level of 2.1)
- Government Subsidies
- 3,600 yuan ($500) per child annually until age 3
- Contraceptive Tax
- 13% value-added tax on contraceptives
- Population
- 1.405 billion in 2025
Sources
China’s new condom tax will prove no effective barrier to country’s declining fertility rate
Will China's 13% tax on condoms and contraceptives help improve birth rates? Here's what experts say
China’s wedding dress sellers pin hopes on rise in marriages
China records lowest birth rate in 2025
China’s Population Falls Again As Births Drop 17% A Decade After The 1-Child Policy Ended
Exports power Chinese economy to 5% growth, USD 20 trillion GDP
China’s population falls for fourth year as births hit record low despite new family incentives
Just 7.9 million babies in 2025: China’s birth rate hits lowest since 1949
