China recorded a significant demographic shift in 2025, as its population continued to shrink with 7.92 million births against 11.31 million deaths. This data, released by the National Health Commission (NHC) in its statistical bulletin on health development for 2025, highlights a deepening population crisis for the nation.
Intensifying Demographic Challenges
The latest figures reveal that China's birth rate fell to 5.63 per 1,000 people, a decline after a slight increase in 2024. Concurrently, the death rate stood at 8.04 per 1,000 people. At the close of 2025, China's total population was approximately 1.4 billion. The natural population growth rate further declined to -2.41 per thousand, worsening from -0.99 per thousand in 2024.
Birth numbers have shown a consistent downward trend over recent years, with 10.62 million births in 2021, 9.56 million in 2022, and 9.02 million in 2023. While 2024 saw a temporary rise to 9.54 million births, the 2025 figures mark a sharp reversal and a new low.
Government Responds with Childcare Subsidies
In an effort to counter the declining birth rate, the Chinese government implemented a national childcare subsidy program in 2025. This initiative provides 3,600 yuan annually per child under the age of three, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on families and encourage more couples to have children.
The childcare subsidy is part of a broader strategy by the National Health Commission to cultivate a more "birth-friendly society." This includes expanding childcare services and introducing supportive policies related to education, employment, taxation, and housing, all designed to make raising children more accessible and affordable for Chinese families.