Concerns over working-age population
Source: Xinhua |
January 19, 2013, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A REDUCTION in the country's working-age population is casting a shadow on future economic prospects, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
In 2012, the number of working-age people in China decreased by 3.45 million to 937.27 million, bureau chief Ma Jiantang said yesterday.
It is the first time the country has recorded an absolute drop in the working-age population in "a considerable period of time," Ma told reporters. "I can't deny that I'm worried about this problem."
He added that he expects China's working-age population to decrease "steadily and gradually" over a long period or "at least before 2030."
The working-age population, which covers ages between 15 and 59, accounted for 69.2 percent of the country's total population in 2012, down 0.6 percentage points from 2011, the year in which the rate declined for the first time.
Ma said China needs an "appropriate and scientific" population policy in line with demographic changes, as there had been shifts in the country's demographic and labor supply patterns after decades of its family planning policy.
However, the bureau director said the policy should still be adhered to, noting that it had played a crucial role in helping reduce the birth rate and facilitating the country's sustainable, healthy development.
In 2012, the number of working-age people in China decreased by 3.45 million to 937.27 million, bureau chief Ma Jiantang said yesterday.
It is the first time the country has recorded an absolute drop in the working-age population in "a considerable period of time," Ma told reporters. "I can't deny that I'm worried about this problem."
He added that he expects China's working-age population to decrease "steadily and gradually" over a long period or "at least before 2030."
The working-age population, which covers ages between 15 and 59, accounted for 69.2 percent of the country's total population in 2012, down 0.6 percentage points from 2011, the year in which the rate declined for the first time.
Ma said China needs an "appropriate and scientific" population policy in line with demographic changes, as there had been shifts in the country's demographic and labor supply patterns after decades of its family planning policy.
However, the bureau director said the policy should still be adhered to, noting that it had played a crucial role in helping reduce the birth rate and facilitating the country's sustainable, healthy development.
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