As Shrinking Population Rumors Persist, Authorities Says Issue Is ‘Of Concern’

A population expert has painted a grim picture of China’s future demography as rumors swirl that the nation’s population is shrinking.

Tao Tao, a population researcher at Renmin University in Beijing, said the number of women of childbearing age, defined as 15-49, peaked in 2011 and is in decline, corresponding with the declining number of births.

The researcher was invited to speak at a routine press conference held by China’s National Health Commission (NHC) on Thursday, in which the government health planner indirectly responded to research that suggests China’s population is in decline.