China’s population declined for the first time in 61 years, according to the results of the country’s latest census, released Tuesday..
The total population stood at 1.41212 billion as of November 1, 2020, down by 2.64 million from the 1.414759 billion recorded in the 2010 census..
The decline marks a historic turning point for China, which has long been the world’s most populous country. It also comes as the country faces a number of challenges, including an aging population and a shrinking workforce..
**Aging population**.
One of the key factors contributing to China’s population decline is its aging population. The census showed that the number of people aged 65 and over increased from 8.87% in 2010 to 13.5% in 2020. This means that there are now more elderly people in China than children under the age of 14..
The aging population is putting a strain on China’s social and economic resources. The government has implemented a number of policies to address the issue, including raising the retirement age and providing financial incentives for people to have more children. However, it is unclear whether these policies will be enough to reverse the trend of population decline..
**Shrinking workforce**.
Another challenge facing China is its shrinking workforce. The number of people of working age (15-59) declined by 4% between 2010 and 2020. This is due in part to the country’s one-child policy, which was in place for decades and led to a decline in the birth rate..
The shrinking workforce is making it difficult for China to maintain its economic growth. The government has announced a number of measures to address the issue, including increasing immigration and raising the retirement age. However, it is unclear whether these measures will be enough to offset the decline in the working-age population..
**Implications for the future**.
China’s population decline is likely to have a significant impact on the country’s future. The aging population will put a strain on the social welfare system and lead to a decline in the workforce. This will make it difficult for China to maintain its economic growth and could lead to social instability..
The government is aware of the challenges posed by population decline and has implemented a number of policies to address the issue. However, it remains to be seen whether these policies will be enough to reverse the trend of population decline..
**Here are some additional key findings from the census:**.
* The gender ratio is now 104.6 males for every 100 females, up from 105.2 in 2010..
* The urban population now accounts for 63.9% of the total population, up from 53.1% in 2010..
* The average household size has decreased from 3.1 in 2010 to 2.62 in 2020..
**The census results are a wake-up call for China. The country’s population is aging and shrinking, and this will have a significant impact on its future. The government must take action to address the challenges posed by population decline in order to ensure a prosperous future for the country.**.
