China has released the results of its ‘once-a-decade census’, reporting the slowest population growth since the early 1960s. This, officials say, is despite the scrapping of the one-child policy in 2015 to encourage more births and prevent an approaching demographic crisis.

The census revealed that the overall population of China grew to 1.41178 billion in the 10 years to 2020, up by 5.38%. The increase, officials note, reflects an average annual growth of 0.53%, down from 0.57% reported from 2000 to 2010.

The data also showed that China missed its growth target set in 2016, to reach 1.42 billion people by 2020.

The census found the proportion of citizens aged over 65 increased from 8.9% in 2010 to 13.5% in 2020. Additionally, the proportion of children grew by just 1.35% and the working population stayed steady. This, analysts indicated, highlights China’s rapidly ageing population and associated economic concerns.

Addressing issues brought up by the census, Ning Jizhe, deputy head of the census leading group, acknowledged there was a “moderation” in population growth.

“The number of women of childbearing age…was declining, and there is a postponement of childbearing and the rising cost of child raising. All of these are reasons behind the decline on newborns. That is a natural result of China’s economic and social development.”

The Chinese government addressed the issue at its “Two Sessions” meeting in March. The country’s Premier, Li Keqiang, during the meeting, confirmed China would raise its retirement age. He also said Beijing would “promote the realization of moderate fertility” and work to achieve “an appropriate birthrate”.

The annual growth rate of 0.53% is the lowest since the early 1960s when China was dealing;with the aftermath of tens of millions killed by famine, according to analysts.

Fertility policies ‘achieved positive result’

Officials also noted from the data that, the adjustment of fertility policies in 2015 had “achieved a positive result”. They cited the higher proportion of 0-14-year-olds, and a “steadily improving” gender imbalance.

However, some experts also indicated that the scrapping of the one-child policy, thereby;lifting the limit to two, has had little impact.

The two-child limit was “cheap policy”, said Dr Ye Liu, a senior lecturer in international development at King’s College London.

“Government lifted the birth quota without any commitments, so they basically shifted responsibilities to individuals, particularly women.”

Liu added that the census’ data could provide an opportunity “to think outside the box and take a proactive and wholistic approach”.

She also intimated that the government had to address the intersecting factors behind the low birthrate, which include rampant workplace discrimination against women of childbearing age and “scandalously low” public childcare funding.

Working mothers rely on parents and in-laws for childcare, but with a higher retirement age, those grandparents are going to be less available, she explained.

Liu’s suggestions echo those made by China’s central bank in April, calling for an end to all birth limits, to “fully liberalize and encourage childbirth”, and remove difficulties for women.