China's population continues to shrink. Government statistics released on Monday revealed the population fell for the fourth straight year to 1.4 billion. Births dropped in 2025 by 17% to 7.92 million. Despite lifting the one-child policy to allow three children, the fertility rate remains low. Most families cite the costs and pressure of raising a child in a highly competitive society. The Chinese government published a fertility rate of 1.3 in 2020, but experts have estimated it is now around 1. Officials have offered cash subsidies and started taxing condoms to encourage births. The government also has removed taxes on kindergartens, daycares and matchmaking services.
