NEWS//China's birth rate declines

China's population continues to grow -- slowly

According to China's recently released census figures, the population has grown to over 1.41 billion. But the birth rate in China has slowed.

The average annual growth rate was 0.53% over the past 10 years. Between 2000 and 2010 is was 0.57%.

Comparing birth rates with the United States, the average Chinese woman will give birth to 1.7 children; the average American woman will give birth to 1.64 children. In order for humans to produce sufficient children to replace themselves, the average woman must give birth to 2.1 children.

The declining birth rate in China has caused the government to reverse the one-child policy it instituted in 1979. In 2015 couples were allowed to have two children. Today, couples can have three children.

However, how many couples will want three children? Most Chinese of child-bearing age were only-children. They were treated as "little emperors" by their parents and grandparents. They did not grow up in a situation where they had to share their lives with siblings. In a Forbes editorial, Frank Lavin wondered, "As the Chinese population becomes more comfortable with the government regulations and increasingly enjoy a better life, how successful will this reversal be?" 

However, the Global Times notes, "According to the national population census, the number of people aged between 15 and 59 was 894 million. This means China's labor force is still abundant. Besides, the average age of the Chinese population stood at 38.8 in 2020. This is almost the same as 38 in the US. Meanwhile, the population aged 0-14 increased by 30.92 million, or a 1.35 percent rise, compared to the census data in 2010.  These figures demonstrate that China still enjoys demographic dividend…. China's family policy adjustment reflects the country's determination and confidence to deal with the new challenges. The Chinese system makes it possible to make timely adjustments that are future-oriented. This provides constant dynamic for its progress." 

Sources: BBC News, South China Morning Press, Global Times, Forbes