China to hold nationwide survey on population change

10/10/2024 11:23

        China's National Bureau of Statistics said it will conduct a nationwide sample survey from Thursday to "accurately" monitor population changes and better plan economic and social policies, as authorities struggle to boost a fall in births.
        
        The survey, which will run until Nov. 30, comes after the bureau conducted a similar poll in 2023.
        
        Beijing is urgently trying a variety of measures to incentivise young couples to have children after China posted a second consecutive year of population decline in 2023.
        
        Rapid aging has become a growing concern for policymakers, with China's cohort of those aged 60 and older expected to rise at least 40% to more than 400 million by 2035, equal to the populations of Britain and the United States combined.
        
        The bureau said in a statement, the survey will focus on urban and rural areas to "accurately and timely monitor and reflect the development and changes in population" and help formulate "national economic and social development plans."
        
        It said, local governments and personnel will be held accountable for any "illegal acts" during survey work, and all sectors of society must "actively support and cooperate" with the survey.