The country recorded 850,000 fewer people at the end of 2022 than the previous year. While China's rate of population growth has been slowing for years, most experts were not expecting a decline for at least another decade. This is the first drop since the 1950s, when the Communist Party's attempts to rapidly industrialize and collectivize farming led to a massive famine.
It's unclear how much the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the decline, given the lack of transparency around the country's reporting practices. What is clear is that one million fewer babies were born in 2022 than the year before, while deaths jumped from 10.14 to 10.41 million.
China's leaders have long considered overpopulation a problem, but in 2016 the government ended its controversial one-child policy in an effort to bolster birth rates.
Meanwhile, the country also reported its second-lowest growth rate in at least four decades.
The second-largest economy in the world grew by 3 percent in 2022, which is less than half the 2021 rate of 8.1 percent — though slightly higher than the 2.4 percent rate in 2020, when countrywide coronavirus shutdowns essentially ground the country to a halt.
In the fourth quarter of last year, the country reported zero growth.
Notably the country in recent months has eased up on its Zero-COVID policies, which reinstated lockdowns whenever there was an outbreak, sending shockwaves through the global economy.
In the West, China is synonymous with rapid economic and population growth. But these reports point toward a new era for the developing country.
Disney theme parks are experiencing a significant slump in attendance this summer, resulting in shorter wait times and declining foot traffic. What's bad for Disney though could be an excellent opportunity for families looking to save money on their next summer vacation. Stephanie Opera, director of marketing at Pixie Travel and authorized Disney vacation planner, breaks down how to save.
The United States has a reputation for having some of the safest tap water in the world. But experts are challenging that reputation after a new study found "forever chemicals" in tap water. Cheddar's Ashley Mastronardi has the story
Prosecutors rested their sexual assault case against Kevin Spacey in a London courtroom Wednesday after four men testified in the past two weeks that the Oscar winner preyed on them.
The gunman who killed 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018 is eligible for the death penalty, a federal jury announced Thursday, setting the stage for further evidence and testimony on whether he should be sentenced to death or life in prison.
Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee accused the agency of targeting conservatives, suppressing evidence that Covid-19 came from a lab leak and abusing its surveillance powers.
Have you been hearing about all the passport delays that are currently affecting travelers around the U.S? If you're in a rush to get your passport, it could cost you hundreds of dollars. So to protect your dollar, we brought in travel expert Francesca Page to give some tips on how to avoid extra fees for expedited passports down the line.
While it's already July, there's still time to plan those last minute summer vacations. and we've got expert tips that can help you save. Consumer Reporter Janice Lieberman has more.
