Birth rate in country hits record low in 2021

The birth rate in China fell to a record low last year, extending a downward trend despite a landmark decision to allow couples to have up to three children and measures to help with raising them.

There were 7.52 births for every 1,000 people last year, down from the 8.52 in 2020.

Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics yesterday also showed that 10.62 million babies were born in the world’s most populous country last year – an 11.5 per cent drop from the 12 million in 2020.

In 2019, the birth rate was 10.41 and there were 14.65 million births.

Changing attitudes towards raising children, a fall in the number of women at optimal child-bearing age and the Covid-19 pandemic have contributed to China’s dwindling birth rate, said bureau head

Ning Jizhe, who is also the vicechairman of the National Development and Reform Commission.