• China's population fell by 3.39 million in 2025, continuing a decline for the fourth consecutive year.
• Birth rates dropped to a historic low of 7.92 million, the lowest since 1949.
• Government incentives to encourage childbirth have yet to yield significant results.
• Increasing economic pressures contribute to a reluctance among young people to marry and have children.
• Proposed measures include subsidies and reforms aimed at improving family support and marriage registration.

China's population decreased by 3.39 million in 2025, reaching approximately 1.4 billion, marking the fastest decline in years and raising significant demographic concerns. The total number of births plummeted to 7.92 million, a sharp decline from 9.54 million in 2024, the lowest birth figure since records began in 1949, according to Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and BBC.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that the number of deaths increased to 11.31 million, contributing to these alarming trends. This demographic downturn occurs amid government initiatives designed to revitalize birth rates, including financial incentives for parents and a loosening of marriage regulations. Despite these efforts, public reluctance to marry and have children persists as a considerable barrier, exacerbated by economic uncertainties, according to South China Morning Post and BBC.

In 2024, the number of marriages fell dramatically by over 20% to just 6.1 million, reflecting changing social attitudes and pressures, a trend that analysts warn is likely to continue impacting birth rates negatively. There are signs, however, that this trend might stabilize, with the first three quarters of 2025 showing a rise in marriage registrations by 8.5%, according to South China Morning Post and BBC.

Furthermore, experts believe that broader reforms and consistent financial support are necessary to reverse the decline in birth rates. The government's new childcare subsidy scheme, which offers substantial financial perks for families, represents a significant policy shift toward encouraging higher birth rates amid concerns over economic implications for an ageing population, according to Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and BBC.