How Many People Live in China? The Results of the 2020 Population Census

Abstract

The article is devoted to a topical issue — population problem of China and shows a picture of demographic situation and dynamics of demographic indices for the last decades building on new statistical data, which are results of the 2020 Population Census of the People’s Republic of China. These data is a basis for conclusion, that under the influence of changing social and economic conditions and state population policy population reproduction experienced cardinal alterations. The most serious alteration is rapid population ageing as a result of demographic policy since the end of 70’s “one family — one child”. It seems necessary for China to put forward the decision of the CC CPC Political Bureau (May, 2021) about regulation of the population age structure at the expense of the third child in the family. The next decision about elimination of all limits for a number of children in the family is quite up to the mark, because it helps to block population ageing and to increase a share of economically active population by 2035. But now a large number of Chinese families, especially urban families, are not ready to have more than one child by some reasons, for example, growing costs for education of children, obstacles for their careers and other reasons. The authors of the article on the basis of the preliminary data of the 2020 Population Census came to the conclusion, that further success of China’s social and economic development will be connected with solving demographic problems in China in the nearest decade.