China’s population has risen over the past year, the government have announced, after a surprising census claimed it had fallen, which could put downward pressure on economic growth.
The National Statistics Office did not provide details in its one-sentence statement, saying the population figure will be released later. However, the unusual decision to respond to the Financial Times report reflected the political sensitivity of the issue.
The Financial Times said that those familiar with the 2020 Chinese census believe the population, which surpassed 1.4 billion in 2019, has declined for the first time since the 1959 famine. -61 million people died.
The ruling Communist Party has introduced birth rates since 1980 to slow population growth. However, a total decline would reduce the influx of workers into the economy as it seeks to support growth and reduce poverty.
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