China's Population Decline in 2023

In 2023, China experienced a significant demographic shift as its population declined for the second consecutive year, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's history. The total population decreased by approximately 2.08 million, reaching 1.409 billion by the end of the year . This decline was primarily driven by a record-low birth rate and an increase in deaths, exacerbated by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors Contributing to the Decline

Several interconnected factors contributed to China's population decrease:

Aging Population: China's aging demographic, with a growing proportion of elderly citizens, led to a natural increase in mortality rates.
COVID-19 Impact: The lifting of strict COVID-19 restrictions in early 2023 resulted in a surge of deaths, further accelerating the population decline