China’s population falls by 2.08 million to 1.4097 billion in 2023 as births tumble, adding to demographic concerns

China’s population fell again last year, having experienced its first decline in six decades in 2022, as the birth rate hit a new low and the number of deaths climbed.

The overall population in mainland China fell by 2.08 million last year to 1.4097 billion, down from 1.4118 billion in 2022, according to official figures released on Wednesday.