CHINA has sent a clear signal to adapt to the new normal in its demographics in an effort to boost modernization by improving the overall quality of its population.

According to a meeting of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs held last week, China is currently experiencing a trend of birthrate decline, population aging, and differentiation in regional population growth.

The latest official data showed that China’s population reached 1.41175 billion at the end of 2022, a drop of 850,000 from that at the end of 2021.

“A slight decline in population size and an increasingly aging society are inevitable during the economic and social development,” said He Dan, head of the China Population and Development Research Center.

But China’s supply of workforce remains rich, given its population of more than 1.4 billion. Besides, the country’s working-age population is close to 900 million, and 15 million more join the workforce every year.(Xinhua)