A shrinking nation of billions

By Johnny Erling

Johnny Erling schreibt die Kolumne für die China.Table Professional Briefings

The one-child policy has changed many aspects of China, a country in which the bonds of the extended family have always played a large role. The population is declining dramatically, leading to a multitude of problems. Calculations suggest that the country will no longer be a nation of billions by the end of this century.

For a long time, the People’s Republic was proud of two unique characteristics: Being the world’s most populous nation and, since 1980, the first country with a population of one billion. However, India caught up with China and overtook it in 2022. Not only do more people live there today, but they are also younger – by ten years on average. By the end of this century, China may no longer be a nation of billions.

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