Despite government efforts, China’s birthrate has plummeted for the fourth year in a row. The Chinese government announced that 7.92 million babies were born in 2025, a nearly 17 percent decline from 9.54 million in 2024. This marks the lowest birth rate per 1,000 people since records began in 1949, contributing to a shrinking population following more than 11 million deaths in 2025.

While this trend is global, China faces a more severe challenge due to a dwindling workforce to support its aging population. Despite implementing measures such as media campaigns, financial incentives, subsidized housing, menstrual cycle tracking, abortion reduction and taxes on contraceptives, the government’s efforts have yielded minimal results.