China’s Population Suffers Blow With Historic Low Births

Births in China fell to a new historic low in 2025, according to official data released on Monday.

The national statistics bureau reported 9.02 million newborns, equal to 6.39 births per 1,000 people—a little over half the 11.99 rate recorded in 2015, the year authorities ended the decades‑old One‑Child Policy.

The report suggests the pro‑natal measures rolled out by the central and local governments have had little effect and marks a return to the country’s seven‑year downward trend. Last year’s modest uptick was widely attributed to the auspicious Year of the Dragon and the effects of China’s post‑pandemic reopening.

Newsweek has contacted China’s National Health Commission for comment via email.

This developing story will be expanded with additional information.