China's Population Falls for the First Time in Decades

China's population declined for the first time in decades, as the Chinese government recorded fewer births than deaths in 2022.

The Details: With 850,000 fewer people in the country, it's the first instance of population decline in 1961. The decline, however, does not account for island territories such as Macao and Hong Kong.

Key Quotes: "China's demographic and economic outlook is much bleaker than expected. China will have to adjust its social, economic, defense and foreign policies," said demographer Yi Fuxian.

For Context: A variety of factors led to the decline, including China's one-child policy, the rising cost of child care in urban areas, and an overall gender imbalance in favor of men. In October, President Xi Jinping said that the government would enact supportive policies, such as tax deductions and longer maternity leave, to support having more babies.

How the Media Covered It: China's population decline was covered across the political spectrum. Some left-rated sources highlighted international policy experts have blamed China's "zero COVID' policy for contributing to the decline.