China's Population Declines in 2025 Despite Government Birth Incentives

China's population declined to 1.404 billion in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive year of decrease with births dropping 17% to 7.92 million. Despite ending the one-child policy and introducing measures like cash subsidies for new parents, tax on contraceptives, reduced kindergarten fees, and raising the retirement age, birth rates continue to fall. These trends highlight demographic challenges including an ageing population and potential pension fund strains projected by experts.