China’s Population Falls for Fourth Straight Year as Birth Crisis Deepens

China’s population declined for a fourth consecutive year in 2025, underscoring a deepening demographic crisis despite government efforts to boost births. Official data released on Monday showed the population fell to 1.404 bn, around three million fewer than in 2024. Birth rates dropped to a record low of 5.63 births per 1,000 people, with just 7.92 mln babies born last year, a 17% decline year on year, marking the lowest level since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

The figures highlight the long-term impact of the former one-child policy, abolished a decade ago, and mounting social and economic pressures, including high living costs, intense competition and job insecurity. China’s fertility rate is now estimated at around one child per woman, far below replacement level, while the population is rapidly ageing, with people over 60 accounting for about 23% of citizens. Analysts warn the trend threatens long-term economic growth, even as Beijing rolls out subsidies, tax incentives and policy reforms in an attempt to reverse the decline.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan’s Oliy Majlis approved changes to the personal data law to support Apple Pay and Google Pay.