China witnessed a significant decline in the number of births last year. Despite extensive government initiatives to support parenthood, the nation's births plunged by 10 per cent, hitting the lowest level on record.&nbsp;

This alarming drop has raised concerns that the country has become demographically imbalanced.

<h2>Official data</h2>

According to a report published by the National Health Commission, China recorded just 9.56 million births in 2022. This marks the lowest figure since records were first logged in 1949.

This comes as just last year, China's population shrank for the first time in six decades, dropping to 1.41 billion people.

The trend has led domestic demographers to express concerns that China may grow 'old before it gets rich'.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-population-falls-to-a-60-year-low-demographers-predict-nation-will-get-old-before-it-gets-rich-553315">China's population falls to a 60 year low; demographers predict nation 'will get old before it gets rich'</a>

Such a scenario could hinder economic growth as government revenues drop, and health and welfare costs soar, increasing government debt, they warn.

<h2>What is causing the population to decline?</h2>

As per Reuters, several factors contribute to this decline. This includes the high costs of childcare and education, increased unemployment, job insecurity, and gender discrimination.&nbsp;

These challenges, as per the record, have discouraged many young couples from having more than one child or even having children at all.

Previously, much of this demographic decline could be traced back to China's one-child policy, that was enforced in 1980. In 2015, it was abandoned and since then things have somewhat changed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-introduces-new-policies-as-birth-rate-continues-to-fall-508262">China introduces new policies as birth rate continues to fall</a>

Health authorities, as cited by Reuters, report that nearly 40 per cent of Chinese newborns in the past year were the second child of a married couple, and 15 per cent came from families with three or more children.

China has been facing a steady fall in its birth rates since 2017. To encourage balanced long-term population development in the face of the decline, Chinese authorities have in recent times have implemented various measures, including releasing a guideline outlining a number of policies for prenatal and postnatal support. These include efforts to expand childcare services and financial incentives to encourage families to have more children.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China witnessed a significant decline in the number of births last year. Despite extensive government initiatives to support parenthood, the nation's births plunged by 10 per cent, hitting the lowest level on record.

China witnessed a significant decline in the number of births last year. Despite extensive government initiatives to support parenthood, the nation's births plunged by 10 per cent, hitting the lowest level on record. This alarming drop has raised concerns that the country has become demographically imbalanced. Official data According to a report published by the National Health Commission, China recorded just 9.56 million births in 2022. This marks the lowest figure since records were first logged in 1949. This comes as just last year, China's population shrank for the first time in six decades, dropping to 1.41 billion people. The trend has led domestic demographers to express concerns that China may grow 'old before it gets rich'. Also read | China's population falls to a 60 year low; demographers predict nation 'will get old before it gets rich' Such a scenario could hinder economic growth as government revenues drop, and health and welfare costs soar, increasing government debt, they warn. What is causing the population to decline? As per Reuters, several factors contribute to this decline. This includes the high costs of childcare and education, increased unemployment, job insecurity, and gender discrimination. These challenges, as per the record, have discouraged many young couples from having more than one child or even having children at all. Previously, much of this demographic decline could be traced back to China's one-child policy, that was enforced in 1980. In 2015, it was abandoned and since then things have somewhat changed. Also read | China introduces new policies as birth rate continues to fall Health authorities, as cited by Reuters, report that nearly 40 per cent of Chinese newborns in the past year were the second child of a married couple, and 15 per cent came from families with three or more children. China has been facing a steady fall in its birth rates since 2017. To encourage balanced long-term population development in the face of the decline, Chinese authorities have in recent times have implemented various measures, including releasing a guideline outlining a number of policies for prenatal and postnatal support. These include efforts to expand childcare services and financial incentives to encourage families to have more children. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China ageing fast: Births fall by 10% to an all-time low, raising economic concerns

China has implemented new rules to tackle its looming demographic crisis. It has allowed migrant workers to register their marriages in the cities where they reside, instead of having to travel back to their hometowns. The State Council, China's cabinet, has approved a regulation that permits residents from 21 provinces and municipalities, predominantly in eastern and central China, to register their marriages based on their residence permits.&nbsp;

This change is significant as it eases the burden of travel for the hundreds of millions of migrant workers in the country, reports state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday.

Previously, prospective couples were required to return to the city or country of their household registration, known as hukou, to register their marriages.&nbsp;

The hukou system determines individuals' access to public services such as education and healthcare. However, in recent years, some regions have introduced residence permits that provide limited access to social services for individuals whose hukou are tied to a different area. For instance, in Beijing, individuals without a Beijing hukou can obtain a permit to access certain social services like healthcare.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-slams-western-hype-of-its-population-decline-584476">China slams Western hype of its population decline</a>

The primary objective of the new regulation is to alleviate the travel burden faced by migrant workers. According to state broadcaster CCTV, China had 376 million migrants in 2020, with over 120 million of them moving across provinces.&nbsp;

While some individuals praised the convenience brought about by the new regulation, others expressed scepticism about its ability to increase the marriage rate.&nbsp;

A comment on Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform, questioned, "Do you think people don’t get married because it’s not convenient to register?".

China has experienced a decline in population for the first time in six decades, with the national birth rate reaching a record low of 6.77 births per 1,000 people in 2022. In comparison, the birth rate in the United States during the same period was 12 births per 1,000 people.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-launch-projects-in-20-more-cities-to-build-new-era-marriage-culture-report-592501">China to launch projects in 20 more cities to build new-era marriage culture: Report</a>

In recent months, the Chinese government has implemented several measures to encourage marriage and childbirth, including relaxing its one-child policy, enhancing maternal healthcare and pay, and providing financial support to families with more than two children.

Furthermore, the government has taken steps to address the issue of huge dowries in rural areas, which can reach up to 1 million yuan (US$142,000).&nbsp;

In the city of Harbin, authorities have established a "green channel" for students at the Harbin Institute of Technology to register their marriages over the weekend. This initiative, as per online news outlet Jimu allows eligible university students to obtain their marriage certificates without having to wait in long queues. 
 
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China has implemented new rules to tackle its looming demographic crisis. It has allowed migrant workers to register their marriages in the cities where they reside, instead of having to travel back to their hometowns.

China has implemented new rules to tackle its looming demographic crisis. It has allowed migrant workers to register their marriages in the cities where they reside, instead of having to travel back to their hometowns. The State Council, China's cabinet, has approved a regulation that permits residents from 21 provinces and municipalities, predominantly in eastern and central China, to register their marriages based on their residence permits. This change is significant as it eases the burden of travel for the hundreds of millions of migrant workers in the country, reports state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday. Previously, prospective couples were required to return to the city or country of their household registration, known as hukou, to register their marriages. The hukou system determines individuals' access to public services such as education and healthcare. However, in recent years, some regions have introduced residence permits that provide limited access to social services for individuals whose hukou are tied to a different area. For instance, in Beijing, individuals without a Beijing hukou can obtain a permit to access certain social services like healthcare. Also read | China slams Western hype of its population decline The primary objective of the new regulation is to alleviate the travel burden faced by migrant workers. According to state broadcaster CCTV, China had 376 million migrants in 2020, with over 120 million of them moving across provinces. While some individuals praised the convenience brought about by the new regulation, others expressed scepticism about its ability to increase the marriage rate. A comment on Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform, questioned, "Do you think people don’t get married because it’s not convenient to register?". China has experienced a decline in population for the first time in six decades, with the national birth rate reaching a record low of 6.77 births per 1,000 people in 2022. In comparison, the birth rate in the United States during the same period was 12 births per 1,000 people. Also read | China to launch projects in 20 more cities to build new-era marriage culture: Report In recent months, the Chinese government has implemented several measures to encourage marriage and childbirth, including relaxing its one-child policy, enhancing maternal healthcare and pay, and providing financial support to families with more than two children. Furthermore, the government has taken steps to address the issue of huge dowries in rural areas, which can reach up to 1 million yuan (US$142,000). In the city of Harbin, authorities have established a "green channel" for students at the Harbin Institute of Technology to register their marriages over the weekend. This initiative, as per online news outlet Jimu allows eligible university students to obtain their marriage certificates without having to wait in long queues. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China eases marriage registration process for migrant workers to tackle population crisis

Demography in China is undergoing a major shift, with the number of births declining and the population ageing rapidly. The latest data from the nation's Henan province shows the extent of the challenge faced by Beijing. For the first time since 1961, the province has recorded more deaths than it had births. As per the latest figures, Henan recorded 8,000 more deaths than births; this as per the South China Morning Post is the province's first population decline in around six decades. In 2022, the province also saw an overall population decline of around 110,000 people.

The population decline is mainly because of a massive outflow of workers and is less compared to 2021's overall population decline of 580,000.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: China's demographic disaster: Is this the end of China's dream?

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As per Henan's Bureau of Statistics, various factors have contributed to the province's population decline.

In a statement on Monday, the bureau said it was "affected by various factors such as the continuous decrease of women of childbearing age, changes in beliefs, delayed marriage and childbirth, population outflow and population ageing."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-provinces-give-30-days-paid-marriage-leave-to-newly-weds-to-control-tumbling-birth-rate-564412">Chinese provinces give 30 days paid marriage leave to newly weds to control tumbling birth rate</a>

The bureau further said that "the number of births (in Henan province) continued to decrease in 2022, and the number of deaths have increased."

Henan's population is ageing rapidly. As per official data, in 2022, the number of people over 60 years of age in comparison to 2021 rose by around 790,000.&nbsp;People aged 60 years and older account for 18.9 per cent of Henan's population; this figure stands at 19.8 per cent for China overall.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-sichuan-province-allows-unmarried-people-to-legally-have-children-557291">China's Sichuan province allows unmarried people to legally have children</a>

The number of births in China is decreasing. Last year, the nation saw its lowest birth rate in modern history with 9.56 million babies born. This was the first time China's birth rate fell below 10 million.

In comparison, deaths outnumbered births. The nation's overall population also fell to 1.4118 billion in 2022. This number stood at 1.4126 just a year earlier in 2021.&nbsp;To deal with the population plummet, Beijing has introduced a variety of pronatalist measures, including maternity and paternity leaves, cash rewards, etc.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Demography in China is undergoing a major shift, with the number of births declining and the population ageing rapidly. The latest data from the nation's Henan province shows the extent of the challenge faced by Beijing.

Demography in China is undergoing a major shift, with the number of births declining and the population ageing rapidly. The latest data from the nation's Henan province shows the extent of the challenge faced by Beijing. For the first time since 1961, the province has recorded more deaths than it had births. As per the latest figures, Henan recorded 8,000 more deaths than births; this as per the South China Morning Post is the province's first population decline in around six decades. In 2022, the province also saw an overall population decline of around 110,000 people. The population decline is mainly because of a massive outflow of workers and is less compared to 2021's overall population decline of 580,000. Watch | Gravitas: China's demographic disaster: Is this the end of China's dream? As per Henan's Bureau of Statistics, various factors have contributed to the province's population decline. In a statement on Monday, the bureau said it was "affected by various factors such as the continuous decrease of women of childbearing age, changes in beliefs, delayed marriage and childbirth, population outflow and population ageing." Also read | Chinese provinces give 30 days paid marriage leave to newly weds to control tumbling birth rate The bureau further said that "the number of births (in Henan province) continued to decrease in 2022, and the number of deaths have increased." Henan's population is ageing rapidly. As per official data, in 2022, the number of people over 60 years of age in comparison to 2021 rose by around 790,000. People aged 60 years and older account for 18.9 per cent of Henan's population; this figure stands at 19.8 per cent for China overall. Also read | China's Sichuan province allows unmarried people to legally have children The number of births in China is decreasing. Last year, the nation saw its lowest birth rate in modern history with 9.56 million babies born. This was the first time China's birth rate fell below 10 million. In comparison, deaths outnumbered births. The nation's overall population also fell to 1.4118 billion in 2022. This number stood at 1.4126 just a year earlier in 2021. To deal with the population plummet, Beijing has introduced a variety of pronatalist measures, including maternity and paternity leaves, cash rewards, etc. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Data from China's Henan shows extent of population decline; records 8,000 more deaths than births

For the first time in 60 years, China’s population has fallen. 2022 saw the nation’s population take a historic turn to mark the start of a long period of decline in its citizens’ numbers.

As per Reuters, this marks the beginning of profound implications for the economy of the nation. The drop, which is believed to be the worst since China’s great famine of 1961, means that Beijing’s neighbour India will become the world’s most populous nation this year.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: China's population is shrinking. Here's why Beijing is scared

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China’s National Bureau of Statistics figures shows that by the end of 2022, the nation’s population has dropped to 1.41175 billion with a fall of roughly 850,000. The long-term prediction by UN experts is that in roughly three decades, or by 2050, the population will shrink by 109 million. This is a three-fold increase from a previous decline prediction made in 2019.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cities-across-china-offer-couples-subsidy-to-have-more-children-551784">Cities across China offer couples subsidy to have more children</a>

Last year, the nation’s birth rate was 6.77 births per 1,000 people, a fall from 7.52 births in 2021. Compared to this, deaths per 1,000 were at a high of 7.37 in 2022, while in 2021 the nation recorded 7.18 deaths per 1,000. 2022's death rate as per Reuters was the highest since the 1974 Cultural revolution.

This fall has been credited to the Chinese one-child policy that was imposed between 1980 and 2015. Apart from this, recent years’ high education costs, as well as child-rearing costs, are also blamed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/chinas-housing-market-witnesses-a-slump-for-the-16th-month-553088">China's housing market witnesses a slump for the 16th month</a>

Demographers predict that the population fall might mean that “China will get old before it gets rich”.

Reuters quotes demographer Yi Fuxian as saying, “China’s demographic and economic outlook is much bleaker than expected. China will have to adjust its social, economic, defence and foreign policies.”

(With inputs from agencies)

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For the first time in 60 years, China’s population has fallen. 2022 saw the nation’s population take a historic turn to mark the start of a long period of decline in its citizens’ numbers.

For the first time in 60 years, China’s population has fallen. 2022 saw the nation’s population take a historic turn to mark the start of a long period of decline in its citizens’ numbers. As per Reuters, this marks the beginning of profound implications for the economy of the nation. The drop, which is believed to be the worst since China’s great famine of 1961, means that Beijing’s neighbour India will become the world’s most populous nation this year. Watch | Gravitas: China's population is shrinking. Here's why Beijing is scared China’s National Bureau of Statistics figures shows that by the end of 2022, the nation’s population has dropped to 1.41175 billion with a fall of roughly 850,000. The long-term prediction by UN experts is that in roughly three decades, or by 2050, the population will shrink by 109 million. This is a three-fold increase from a previous decline prediction made in 2019. Also read | Cities across China offer couples subsidy to have more children Last year, the nation’s birth rate was 6.77 births per 1,000 people, a fall from 7.52 births in 2021. Compared to this, deaths per 1,000 were at a high of 7.37 in 2022, while in 2021 the nation recorded 7.18 deaths per 1,000. 2022's death rate as per Reuters was the highest since the 1974 Cultural revolution. This fall has been credited to the Chinese one-child policy that was imposed between 1980 and 2015. Apart from this, recent years’ high education costs, as well as child-rearing costs, are also blamed. Also read | China's housing market witnesses a slump for the 16th month Demographers predict that the population fall might mean that “China will get old before it gets rich”. Reuters quotes demographer Yi Fuxian as saying, “China’s demographic and economic outlook is much bleaker than expected. China will have to adjust its social, economic, defence and foreign policies.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China's population falls to a 60 year low; demographers predict nation 'will get old before it gets rich'

Even as the world marked the daunting milestone of eight million population, China which was once preoccupied with the prospect of a runaway population is now fretting over its low number of childbirths.

For more than three decades, from 1980 to 2015, the nation had enforced a strict one-child policy, however, now faces the looming prospect of an ageing population and low fertility rate.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: World population hits 8 Billion: Does India stand to gain?

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As per Reuters, in 2021, China's fertility rate stood at 1.16, way below the 2.1 pegged by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as the standard for a stable population. In fact, it was among the lowest in the world.

New births this year are set to fall to a record low. In 2021, the nation saw 10.6 million births, which was also an 11.5 per cent plunge from 2020's numbers. In 2020, the number is expected to fall further to 10 million.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-population-reaches-8-billion-today-534292">World population reaches eight billion today</a>

United Nations expects that the nation's population will undergo a shrinking starting next year, and India will likely become the world's most populous country.

The COVID pandemic and China's strict COVID-Zero policy were profound reasons behind this fall, additionally, the high cost of childcare is another major deterrent.&nbsp;Alarmed by the ageing population with people over 65 now counting for 13 per cent of the population, Beijing from last year has begun allowing up to three children.

Additionally, the nation is also offering tax breaks, cash handouts, housing subsidies, medical insurance and generous maternity leave, but demographers say that these measures just aren't cutting it. Low job prospects are one thing plaguing expectant parents. As Stuart Gietel Basten, professor at Hong Kong’s University of Science and Technology puts it "Why would you have more babies when the people you have cannot even get jobs?"

(With inputs from agencies)

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Even as the world marked the daunting milestone of eight million population, China which was once preoccupied with the prospect of a runaway population is now fretting over its low number of childbirths.

Even as the world marked the daunting milestone of eight million population, China which was once preoccupied with the prospect of a runaway population is now fretting over its low number of childbirths. For more than three decades, from 1980 to 2015, the nation had enforced a strict one-child policy, however, now faces the looming prospect of an ageing population and low fertility rate. Watch | Gravitas: World population hits 8 Billion: Does India stand to gain? As per Reuters, in 2021, China's fertility rate stood at 1.16, way below the 2.1 pegged by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as the standard for a stable population. In fact, it was among the lowest in the world. New births this year are set to fall to a record low. In 2021, the nation saw 10.6 million births, which was also an 11.5 per cent plunge from 2020's numbers. In 2020, the number is expected to fall further to 10 million. Also read | World population reaches eight billion today United Nations expects that the nation's population will undergo a shrinking starting next year, and India will likely become the world's most populous country. The COVID pandemic and China's strict COVID-Zero policy were profound reasons behind this fall, additionally, the high cost of childcare is another major deterrent. Alarmed by the ageing population with people over 65 now counting for 13 per cent of the population, Beijing from last year has begun allowing up to three children. Additionally, the nation is also offering tax breaks, cash handouts, housing subsidies, medical insurance and generous maternity leave, but demographers say that these measures just aren't cutting it. Low job prospects are one thing plaguing expectant parents. As Stuart Gietel Basten, professor at Hong Kong’s University of Science and Technology puts it "Why would you have more babies when the people you have cannot even get jobs?" (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Even as the world reaches daunting eight billion population, China frets over low number of children

China, which has been facing a steady fall in its birth rates since 2017, claims that the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to the downward trend.

The country's National Health Commission stated that COVID-19 has contributed to the nation's declining marriage and birth rates.

"The coronavirus has also had a clear impact on the marriage and childbirth arrangements of some people," said the commission, responding to questions from Reuters.

Watch&nbsp;|&nbsp;China's harsh covid-19 lockdowns exacerbate population crisis

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According to the report, many women are still delaying their plans to get married or have kids, even though swift social and economic transformation has brought about "deep shifts".

Young people moving to metropolitan areas, spending more time in school, and having demanding jobs have all contributed, it said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-introduces-new-policies-as-birth-rate-continues-to-fall-508262">China introduces new policies as birth rate continues to fall</a>

According to demographers, China's staunch "zero-COVID" policy, "with (its) strict controls on people's lives may have caused profound, lasting damage on their desire to have children."

Demographers predict that the number of births in the country will plummet to historic lows this year, dropping from 10.6 million newborns in 2018 to less than 10 million this year.

In 2021, China's fertility rate was 1.16, one of the lowest rates recorded globally.&nbsp;As per OECD for a stable population, a fertility rate of 2.1 is necessary.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-discourage-abortions-offer-benefits-in-bid-to-improve-birth-rate-507462">China’s population will begin to fall by 2025 as family size grows smaller: Officials</a>

Beijing, which implemented a one-child policy from 1980 to 2015, has acknowledged that its population is in danger of declining, posing a challenge to the country's ability to support and care for its elderly.

Recently the country has introduced a spate of programmes to encourage childbirth,&nbsp;including maternity leaves, preferential housing &amp; tax policies, and prenatal and post-natal care.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China, which has been facing a steady fall in its birth rates since 2017, claims that the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to the downward trend. The country's National Health Commission stated that COVID-19 has contributed to the nation's declining marriage and birth rates.

China, which has been facing a steady fall in its birth rates since 2017, claims that the coronavirus pandemic has contributed to the downward trend. The country's National Health Commission stated that COVID-19 has contributed to the nation's declining marriage and birth rates. "The coronavirus has also had a clear impact on the marriage and childbirth arrangements of some people," said the commission, responding to questions from Reuters. Watch | China's harsh covid-19 lockdowns exacerbate population crisis According to the report, many women are still delaying their plans to get married or have kids, even though swift social and economic transformation has brought about "deep shifts". Young people moving to metropolitan areas, spending more time in school, and having demanding jobs have all contributed, it said. Also read | China introduces new policies as birth rate continues to fall According to demographers, China's staunch "zero-COVID" policy, "with (its) strict controls on people's lives may have caused profound, lasting damage on their desire to have children." Demographers predict that the number of births in the country will plummet to historic lows this year, dropping from 10.6 million newborns in 2018 to less than 10 million this year. In 2021, China's fertility rate was 1.16, one of the lowest rates recorded globally. As per OECD for a stable population, a fertility rate of 2.1 is necessary. Also read | China’s population will begin to fall by 2025 as family size grows smaller: Officials Beijing, which implemented a one-child policy from 1980 to 2015, has acknowledged that its population is in danger of declining, posing a challenge to the country's ability to support and care for its elderly. Recently the country has introduced a spate of programmes to encourage childbirth, including maternity leaves, preferential housing & tax policies, and prenatal and post-natal care. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Covid pandemic made China's population crisis worse: Report

China has been facing a steady fall in its birth rates since 2017. To encourage balanced long-term population development in the face of the decline, Chinese authorities have now released a guideline outlining a number of policies for prenatal and postnatal support.

According to a report by the Xinhua news agency, the National Health Commission's guideline includes solutions like enhanced maternity care services, public-benefit childcare, improved maternity, parental leave regulations, preferential housing &amp; tax policies and the promotion of workplaces that support fertility.

Watch&nbsp;|&nbsp;China's harsh covid-19 lockdowns exacerbate population crisis

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Despite easing the "one-child policy" in an effort to stave off an impending demographic disaster, China's birth rate has been declining since 2017.

China's mainland population increased by 0.53 per cent yearly on average over the previous ten years, according to the country's seventh nationwide census, which was conducted in 2020.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-discourage-abortions-offer-benefits-in-bid-to-improve-birth-rate-507462">China’s population will begin to fall by 2025 as family size grows smaller: Officials</a>

The recently announced guidelines also state that local governments may look into how to extend maternity insurance coverage to include workers in flexible employment, reported ANI.&nbsp;Maternity insurance has become more widely available in China in recent years. The number rose to 240 million in 2021, 1.5 times what it was in 2012.

Beijing passed a new Population and Family Planning Law last year, reportedly in response to Chinese couples' reluctance to have more children due to escalating costs.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-discourage-abortions-offer-benefits-in-bid-to-improve-birth-rate-507462">China to discourage abortions, offer benefits in bid to improve birth rate</a>

This law permits Chinese couples to have three children and was put into effect after the once-every-ten-year census in 2020 revealed that China's population increased at the slowest rate in history, reaching 1.412 billion people.

However, in spite of all the policies, as the population of persons over 60 in China climbed by 18.7 per cent to 264 million, the country's demographic problem is expected to get worse.

(With inputs from agencies)

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China has been facing a steady fall in its birth rates since 2017. To encourage balanced long-term population development in the face of the decline, Chinese authorities have now released a guideline outlining a number of policies for prenatal and postnatal support.

China has been facing a steady fall in its birth rates since 2017. To encourage balanced long-term population development in the face of the decline, Chinese authorities have now released a guideline outlining a number of policies for prenatal and postnatal support. According to a report by the Xinhua news agency, the National Health Commission's guideline includes solutions like enhanced maternity care services, public-benefit childcare, improved maternity, parental leave regulations, preferential housing & tax policies and the promotion of workplaces that support fertility. Watch | China's harsh covid-19 lockdowns exacerbate population crisis Despite easing the "one-child policy" in an effort to stave off an impending demographic disaster, China's birth rate has been declining since 2017. China's mainland population increased by 0.53 per cent yearly on average over the previous ten years, according to the country's seventh nationwide census, which was conducted in 2020. Also read | China’s population will begin to fall by 2025 as family size grows smaller: Officials The recently announced guidelines also state that local governments may look into how to extend maternity insurance coverage to include workers in flexible employment, reported ANI. Maternity insurance has become more widely available in China in recent years. The number rose to 240 million in 2021, 1.5 times what it was in 2012. Beijing passed a new Population and Family Planning Law last year, reportedly in response to Chinese couples' reluctance to have more children due to escalating costs. Also read | China to discourage abortions, offer benefits in bid to improve birth rate This law permits Chinese couples to have three children and was put into effect after the once-every-ten-year census in 2020 revealed that China's population increased at the slowest rate in history, reaching 1.412 billion people. However, in spite of all the policies, as the population of persons over 60 in China climbed by 18.7 per cent to 264 million, the country's demographic problem is expected to get worse. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

China introduces new policies as birth rate continues to fall

China's birth rate dropped to a record low in 2021, despite the country's efforts to increase the young population. The number of births dropped for the fifth consecutive year in 2021 and as compared with 12 million births in 2020, there were 10.62 million births last year. The 2021 rate of 7.52 births per 1,000 people was the lowest since 1949 when the National Statistics Bureau (NBS) began collating the data. Data of the population of China's 31 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities have been analysed. It excludes foreigners and also does not include Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan.

Low birthrate: A new headache for China