According to newly released data from the Chinese government, China’s birth rate has reached its lowest since 1949, with the country's population levels declining for the fourth year in a row. The data shows that China’s population stood at 1.404 billion in 2025, a decrease of approximately three million from 2024.
In response, the government is introducing measures aimed at encouraging higher birth rates and larger families, including imposing taxes on condoms and providing tax-free kindergarten education.
For its part, the United Nations predicts that the global population will reach 9.7 billion by 2050, and further increase to 10.4 billion in the 2080s. This growth is driven partly by declining death rates and an increase in average life expectancy. However, some regions, particularly in Europe, are facing population declines due to lower birth rates and a trend towards smaller families. It's projected that by 2050 the populations of 61 countries or areas will decrease by at least 1%, largely due to low fertility and also high emigration rates.
Curious? Check out this gallery to find out if your country is in the 'top' 20 when it comes to decreasing populations.