Chinese birthrate falls to lowest since 1978

Official statistics show 8.5 births per 1,000 people in 2020, the first time under 10 in decades

China's birthrate has plummeted to its lowest level since 1978 as the government struggles to stave off a looming demographic crisis.

Data released by the country's national bureau of statistics shows there were 8.5 births per 1,000 people in 2020, the first time in decades that the figure has fallen below 10. The statistical yearbook, released at the weekend, said the natural rate of population growth - taking in births and deaths - was at a new low of 1.45.