China's population shrinks for the first time in six decades

'Demographic crisis' threatens goal to overtake U.S. as world's biggest economy

An elderly woman rides a tricycle in a village on the outskirts of Beijing. The world's most populous nation is grappling with a low birthrate. © Reuters

CK TAN, Nikkei staff writer

January 17, 2023 11:30 JST

Updated on January 17, 2023 17:31 JST

SHANGHAI -- China's population shrank last year for the first time in six decades, underscoring a "demographic crisis" that threatens to derail Beijing's ambition to overtake the U.S. as the world's biggest economy.