On January 17, the National Bureau of Statistics released the latest population figures. In 2021, 10.62 million people were born in China, and 10.14 million died. The annual natural population growth approached zero.

In the past five years, the birth rate in China has shown a clear downward trend. Data from the Seventh National Census show that the total fertility rate for women of childbearing age in 2020 was 1.3, which was already at a fairly low level. In 2021, this ratio hit a new low of 1.15.

As He Dan, Director of the China Research Center for Population and Development, explained, when the difference between the number of births and the number of deaths is 1 million, the population growth rate enters the zone of zero growth. For the period of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), the population of China will be in this zone.

He Dan named four main reasons that led to the rapid decline in the birth rate in China: the long-term effect of economic and social development, the decline in the number of women of childbearing age, the replacement effect of reproductive subjects between generations, and the delayed effects of the coronavirus.

The impact of COVID-19 on childbearing has been evident over the past two years. He Dan said that since the outbreak of COVID-19, many people have experienced job insecurity and declining incomes. According to the survey, about 30% of people who originally planned marriage and childbirth have postponed their plans.

In plain English - COVID already kills around 30% of future generation, just due to media attacks.