China's Population Declines for Third Year, Posing Major Economic Challenges

• China faces population decline for third year, with 1.408 billion citizens.
• 2024 saw 9.54 million births, a slight rise but not enough to end demographic decline.
• Aging population strains economy; obstetric cuts and education job losses observed.
• One-child policy, low birth rates, and gender imbalance affect demographic trends.
• Efforts to boost birth rates struggle amid high living costs and limited incentives.
• 22% of China's population is aged, stressing pension system; seniors to hit 30% by 2035.
• High costs delay marriages and childbirth, causing global-like career-focused trends.