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[BUSINESS] · China · 13 sources

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Part of situation: China demographic decline and aging population (2 clusters)

China elderly population surpasses child population for first time

demographic shift aging population dependency ratio birth rate China economy

Data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics reveals a significant demographic shift: for the first time, the number of elderly citizens aged 65 and above has exceeded the number of children aged 14 and under. In 2025, the population of those 65 and older reached approximately 223 million, while the population of children aged 14 and under fell to roughly 213 million.

The old-age dependency ratio—the proportion of elderly dependents to the working-age population—rose to 23.1% in 2025, overtaking the child dependency ratio, which stood at 22%. This follows a steady increase in the elderly ratio from 15% in 2016. China’s total population also declined for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, with the birth rate dropping to a record low of 5.63 per thousand inhabitants.

Analysts suggest this aging trend, driven by decades of the one-child policy and rapid urbanization, will place increased strain on pension, healthcare, and long-term care systems. While the shift may create opportunities in the ‘silver economy,’ it also poses risks to economic growth and the future workforce. In response, Chinese authorities have implemented measures to encourage marriage and childbirth, including financial subsidies and reduced medical costs for families.

Entities

China · Global Times · National Bureau of Statistics · National Bureau of Statistics of China · Stuart Gietel-Basten · The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Kina prvi put ima više starijih od 65 godina nego djece [cetinjskilist.com]
China's families are now supporting more old people than kids [ghananewss.com]
Çin'de yaşlı nüfusu ilk kez çocuk nüfusunu geçti [sondakikakibris.com]
Çin'de yaşlı nüfusu ilk kez çocuk nüfusunu geçti [www.habername.com]
China's old-age dependency ratio overtakes children for first time [srnnews.com]
China telt voor het eerst meer ouderen dan kinderen in afhankelijkheidsratio | Suriname Nieuws Centrale [surinamenieuwscentrale.com]
» China’s families are now supporting more old people than kids [china.timesofnews.com]
Kínában már több a 65 év feletti, mint a 14 év alatti lakos [hir.ma]
Çin'de 65 yaş üstü nüfus ilk kez 14 yaş altı çocukları geçti [www.haber.com]
China's families are now supporting more old people than kids [www.bbc.co.uk]
Kitajska pred hudim problemom [nova24tv.si]
China Loses Three Million in Largest Population Drop Since 2022 [www.breitbart.com]
China's families are now supporting more old people than kids [www.myjoyonline.com]