News: China is facing a demographic winter as its population declined for the fourth year in 2025 due to record-low births and rising deaths.
About Demographic Winter
- The concept of Demographic Winter refers to a situation where a country or region experiences a significant and prolonged decline in population growth due to low fertility rates, aging populations, and increased mortality rates.
- This trend results in a shrinking workforce, a growing dependent population (primarily elderly), and long-term economic and social challenges.
- This phenomenon has been observed in various countries, especially in Europe and East Asia.
- Solution suggested
- It can be addressed through pro-natalist policies such as financial incentives for families, affordable childcare, flexible work arrangements, greater female workforce participation, and managed immigration.
- Countries Facing Demographic Winter
- Europe
- Europe’s Population is ageing rapidly with around 25% population above 60 and this is expected to reach 35% by 2050.
- Many European countries like Italy, Germany, and Spain have fertility rates below 1.5 children per woman.
- East Asia:
- China is facing Demographic Winter as its population fell by 3.39 million to 1.405 billion in 2025, births dropped to 7.92 million (a 17 % decline), and deaths rose to 11.31 million, with rapid ageing and a shrinking workforce.
- Japan’s population has been declining since 2011, with a fertility rate of 1.34 and more than 28% of its population aged 65 or older.
- In South Korea, the fertility rate dropped to 0.78 in 2022, one of the lowest in the world, leading to fears of a demographic collapse.
- Europe
