China's population shrinks for first time in decades

The People's Republic of China has recorded a decline in its population for the first time in decades.

The Chinese government recorded more deaths than births in 2022, the first instance of population decline in the country since 1961.

The Asian country ended last year with 850,000 fewer people than the previous year's end, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. 

The statistic only covers population changes in the mainland and does not account for island territories such as Hong Kong and Macao.

China saw approximately 9.56 million births in 2022, with approximately 10.41 million deaths.