China's Birthrate , Hits Record Low As , Population Decline Accelerates.<br />'The Guardian' reports that China's population <br />decline has continued to pick up speed,<br />registering another year with record-low birthrates. .<br />In 2023, the total number of people in China dropped <br />by 0.2%, equal to about 2.75 million people, bringing <br />the nation's population down to 1.409 billion. .<br />According to the National Bureau of Statistics, <br />the population drop surpassed the record <br />set in 2022 of about 850,000 people. .<br />It is the first time China's recorded <br />population has declined since mass <br />deaths resulting from Mao-era famines.<br />2023 also saw China's total deaths rise <br />6.6% to reach 11.1 million, the highest <br />level since 1974's cultural revolution.<br />Over the same period of time, births fell <br />5.7% to 9.02 million, the lowest ever recorded, <br />at just 6.39 births for every 1000 people. .<br />'The Guardian' reports that China has been facing <br />population decline for years, driven by previous population <br />control policies and general reluctance to reproduce. .<br />Chinese officials fear this <br />"demographic timebomb" <br />could have a dramatic impact <br />on the country's economy.<br />According to the state-run Chinese <br />Academy of Sciences, China's pension <br />system is on track to run out of funds by 2035. .<br />By that time, China's population of people <br />over 60 years old is predicted to have <br />increased from about 280 million to 400 million
