China birth rate for 2025 is 10.31, a 1.6% decline from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>China birth rate for 2024 was <strong>10.48</strong>, a <strong>1.57% decline</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>China birth rate for 2023 was <strong>10.65</strong>, a <strong>2.36% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>China birth rate for 2022 was <strong>10.90</strong>, a <strong>2.3% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Crude birth rate indicates the number of live births occurring during the year, per 1,000 population estimated at midyear. Subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate provides the rate of natural increase, which is equal to the rate of population change in the absence of migration.

Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) in China was reported at 6.39 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Birth rate, crude - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

According to latest figures, the Chinese population decreased by 1.39 million to around 1.408 billion people in 2024. After decades of rapid growth, China arrived at the turning point of its demographic development in 2022, which was earlier than expected. The annual population decrease is estimated to remain at moderate levels until around 2030 but to accelerate thereafter. Population development in China China had for a long time been the country with the largest population worldwide, but according to UN estimates, it has been overtaken by India in 2023. As the population in India is still growing, the country is very likely to remain being home of the largest population on earth in the near future. Due to several mechanisms put into place by the Chinese government as well as changing circumstances in the working and social environment of the Chinese people, population growth has subsided over the past decades, displaying an annual population growth rate of -0.1 percent in 2024. Nevertheless, compared to the world population in total, China held a share of about 17 percent of the overall global population in 2024. China's aging population In terms of demographic developments, the birth control efforts of the Chinese government had considerable effects on the demographic pyramid in China. Upon closer examination of the age distribution, a clear trend of an aging population becomes visible. In order to curb the negative effects of an aging population, the Chinese government abolished the one-child policy in 2015, which had been in effect since 1979, and introduced a three-child policy in May 2021. However, many Chinese parents nowadays are reluctant to have a second or third child, as is the case in most of the developed countries in the world. The number of births in China varied in the years following the abolishment of the one-child policy, but did not increase considerably. Among the reasons most prominent for parents not having more children are the rising living costs and costs for child care, growing work pressure, a growing trend towards self-realization and individualism, and changing social behaviors.

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in China was reported at 1.175 % in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

As of 2023, the bulk of the Chinese population was aged between 25 and 59 years, amounting to around half of the population. A breakdown of the population by broad age groups reveals that around 61.3 percent of the total population was in working age between 16 and 59 years in 2023. Age cohorts below 25 years were considerably smaller, although there was a slight growth trend in recent years. Population development in China Population development in China over the past decades has been strongly influenced by political and economic factors. After a time of high fertility rates during the Maoist regime, China introduced birth-control measures in the 1970s, including the so-called one-child policy. The fertility rate dropped accordingly from around six children per woman in the 1960s to below two at the end of the 20th century. At the same time, life expectancy increased consistently. In the face of a rapidly aging society, the government gradually lifted the one-child policy after 2012, finally arriving at a three-child policy in 2021. However, like in most other developed countries nowadays, people in China are reluctant to have more than one or two children due to high costs of living and education, as well as changed social norms and private values. China’s top-heavy age pyramid The above-mentioned developments are clearly reflected in the Chinese age pyramid. The age cohorts between 30 and 39 years are the last two larger age cohorts. The cohorts between 15 and 24, which now enter childbearing age, are decisively smaller, which will have a negative effect on the number of births in the coming decade. When looking at a gender distribution of the population pyramid, a considerable gender gap among the younger age cohorts becomes visible, leaving even less room for growth in birth figures.

In 2022, India overtook China as the world's most populous country and now has almost 1.46 billion people. China now has the second-largest population in the world, still with just over 1.4 billion inhabitants, however, its population went into decline in 2023. Global population As of 2025, the world's population stands at almost 8.2 billion people and is expected to reach around 10.3 billion people in the 2080s, when it will then go into decline. Due to improved healthcare, sanitation, and general living conditions, the global population continues to increase; mortality rates (particularly among infants and children) are decreasing and the median age of the world population has steadily increased for decades. As for the average life expectancy in industrial and developing countries, the gap has narrowed significantly since the mid-20th century. Asia is the most populous continent on Earth; 11 of the 20 largest countries are located there. It leads the ranking of the global population by continent by far, reporting four times as many inhabitants as Africa. The Demographic Transition The population explosion over the past two centuries is part of a phenomenon known as the demographic transition. Simply put, this transition results from a drastic reduction in mortality, which then leads to a reduction in fertility, and increase in life expectancy; this interim period where death rates are low and birth rates are high is where this population explosion occurs, and population growth can remain high as the population ages. In today's most-developed countries, the transition generally began with industrialization in the 1800s, and growth has now stabilized as birth and mortality rates have re-balanced. Across less-developed countries, the stage of this transition varies; for example, China is at a later stage than India, which accounts for the change in which country is more populous - understanding the demographic transition can help understand the reason why China's population is now going into decline. The least-developed region is Sub-Saharan Africa, where fertility rates remain close to pre-industrial levels in some countries. As these countries transition, they will undergo significant rates of population growth

In 2024, there were around 719 million male inhabitants and 689 million female inhabitants living in China, amounting to around 1.41 billion people in total. China's total population decreased for the first time in decades in 2022, and population decline is expected to accelerate in the upcoming years. Birth control in China From the beginning of the 1970s on, having many children was no longer encouraged in mainland China. The one-child policy was then introduced in 1979 to control the total size of the Chinese population. According to the one-child policy, a married couple was only allowed to have one child. With the time, modifications were added to the policy, for example parents living in rural areas were allowed to have a second child if the first was a daughter, and most ethnic minorities were excepted from the policy. Population ageing The birth control led to a decreasing birth rate in China and a more skewed gender ratio of new births due to boy preference. Since the negative economic and social effects of an aging population were more and more felt in China, the one-child policy was considered an obstacle for the country’s further economic development. Since 2014, the one-child policy has been gradually relaxed and fully eliminated at the end of 2015. However, many young Chinese people are not willing to have more children due to high costs of raising a child, especially in urban areas.

Market Overview:

The global plastic nursing bottle market is expected to grow from USD XX million in 2022 to USD XX million by 2030, at a CAGR of XX%. The growth of the market can be attributed to the increasing demand for baby bottles, especially from developing countries. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period.

Product Definition:

A plastic nursing bottle is a container used to feed expressed breast milk to an infant. The importance of these bottles is that they provide a sterile and safe way to feed an infant without having to use formula.

Under 120ml:

Under 120ml plastic, a nursing bottle is a small-sized bottle designed for infants and toddlers. These bottles are typically made of polypropylene or other plastics and come in various colors and designs. They are often used to feed infants food or water and can be filled with either breast milk or formula.

120-160ml:

120-160ml is the range of standard-size Nursing Bottles. They are available in different colors and shapes, which makes them suitable for various types of milk products such as formula milk, condensed milk, whole milk, and low-fat/no-fat milk.

161-240ml:

The 161-240ml plastic nursing bottle is a type of baby bottle that is designed to hold up to 240 ml of liquid. These bottles are often used by parents who want to provide their infants with a large enough drink throughout the day, without having to resort to using multiple smaller bottles.

Above 240ml:

The above 240ml plastic nursing bottle is a type of plastic nursing bottle that can hold more than 240 ml of liquid. These bottles are typically used by mothers who want to be able to give their infants large quantities of milk at one time.

Application Insights:

The 0-6 months babies segment accounted for the largest share of over 30.0% in 2019 and is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period. The increasing number of neonatal units across the globe is one of the major factors contributing to this growth. For instance, as per WHO, in 2017 there were approximately 1,000 neonatal units in China which was a rise from the previous year when there were around 900 units operating in that country. This increase can be attributed to growing awareness about preterm birth and low birth weight among Chinese women which has resulted in increased demand for plastic bottles suitable for feeding preterm babies. The other application segment includes infants above 18 months age group who are already drinking from normal-sized cups without any difficulty or preference shown by them towards plastic or glass ones thus indicating that these bottles have outgrown their utility.

Regional Analysis:

Asia Pacific was the largest regional market in 2017 and is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period. The region accounted for a revenue share of more than 50% in 2017 owing to increasing awareness about infant formula among mothers, especially in China and India. In addition, growing disposable income levels are anticipated to fuel the demand for baby food products including bottles that will help improve the nutrition standards of infants across the Asia Pacific region. North America is projected to be one of the fastest-growing regions with a CAGR exceeding 5% from 2022 to 2030 due to an increase in birth rates coupled with a high standard of living which enables parents to have two or more children thereby leading towards higher sales volume.

Growth Factors:

• Increasing awareness about the benefits of using plastic nursing bottles for newborns and infants.
• The rising disposable income of parents, especially in developing countries, is helping to boost sales of plastic nursing bottles.
• The growing popularity of breastfeeding as a means to improve infant health is also contributing to the growth in demand for plastic nursing bottles.
• The proliferation of online retail channels that offer a wide variety of plastic nursing bottles at competitive prices, thereby aiding in market growth.

Report Scope

In the world's most populous country, life expectancy has been continuously rising over the last decades, benefitting greatly from China's economic ascendance. In 2022, average life expectancy at birth in China reached about 78.6 years. Life expectancy at birth Life expectancy at birth refers to the average number of years a group of people born in the same year would live, assuming constant mortality rates. San Marino and Monaco had the highest life expectancy at birth, while China had reached a life expectancy above global average. People who were born in San Marino or Monaco in 2023 had a life expectancy of approximately 87 years or 86 years on average respectively. Demographic development in China Whereas average life expectancy at birth has been growing steadily, birth rates in China have been experiencing a slowdown. In 2024, about 6.77 babies had been born per 1,000 women in China, the second lowest point in the recent decade. As a result of low fertility rates and the extended life expectancy in China, the share of elderly people had been rising rapidly. The number of Chinese population aged 60 and older had more than doubled over the past three decades and is projected to reach its peak at 504 million in 2050. People aged 60 and older have been estimated to account for approximately one fourth of China’s total population by 2030, indicating a sharp climb from just around 13 percent in 2010. In order to pinpoint this massive shift in the age pyramid of China, an important indicator for measuring the pressure of aging population on productive population may be consulted. The old-age dependency ratio in China was expected to reach 52.3 percent in 2050.

Global life expectancy at birth has risen significantly since the mid-1900s, from roughly 46 years in 1950 to 73.2 years in 2023. Post-COVID-19 projections There was a drop of 1.7 years during the COVID-19 pandemic, between 2019 and 2021, however, figures resumed upon their previous trajectory the following year due to the implementation of vaccination campaigns and the lower severity of later strains of the virus. By the end of the century it is believed that global life expectancy from birth will reach 82 years, although growth will slow in the coming decades as many of the more-populous Asian countries reach demographic maturity. However, there is still expected to be a wide gap between various regions at the end of the 2100s, with the Europe and North America expected to have life expectancies around 90 years, whereas Sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to be in the low-70s. The Great Leap Forward While a decrease of one year during the COVID-19 pandemic may appear insignificant, this is the largest decline in life expectancy since the "Great Leap Forward" in China in 1958, which caused global life expectancy to fall by almost four years between by 1960. The "Great Leap Forward" was a series of modernizing reforms, which sought to rapidly transition China's agrarian economy into an industrial economy, but mismanagement led to tens of millions of deaths through famine and disease.

Baby Hygiene Products Market Outlook

As of 2023, the global market size for baby hygiene products is estimated at $54.2 billion, with an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% projected to catapult this figure to $91.1 billion by 2032. The primary growth factors contributing to this surge include increasing awareness regarding baby health and hygiene, rising disposable incomes, and continuous product innovation. Additionally, the growing population of newborns and infants, especially in emerging markets, significantly fuels market growth as parents become more conscious about utilizing high-quality hygiene products for their babies.

One of the primary growth drivers is the heightened awareness among parents about the importance of maintaining proper hygiene for their babies. Educational campaigns and pediatric recommendations emphasizing the significance of quality hygiene products in preventing rashes, infections, and other health issues have steadily increased product demand. Furthermore, the availability of organic and chemical-free products has attracted health-conscious parents who are looking for safer alternatives for their children.

Technological advancements and product innovation are also propelling the market forward. Manufacturers are continually focusing on creating more efficient and convenient products, such as diapers with better absorption capabilities and eco-friendly materials. The introduction of biodegradable wipes, lotions with natural ingredients, and hypoallergenic shampoos and soaps are meeting the evolving needs and preferences of modern parents, thus driving market expansion.

The rising disposable income, especially in developing countries, has allowed parents to spend more on premium baby hygiene products. With increased affluence, consumers are inclined towards purchasing higher-quality products that ensure better safety and comfort for their infants. Additionally, the trend of nuclear families in urban areas has led to a higher purchasing power per child, further bolstering the demand for a wide range of baby hygiene products.

Maternal and Infant Toiletries are becoming an integral part of the baby hygiene products market, as they cater to the specific needs of both mothers and their newborns. These products include a range of items such as gentle cleansers, moisturizing lotions, and soothing balms designed to provide comfort and care during the early stages of motherhood. The demand for these toiletries is driven by the increasing awareness among parents about the importance of using safe and effective products that cater to the delicate skin of both mothers and infants. As more consumers seek natural and organic options, manufacturers are responding by developing products that are free from harsh chemicals and allergens, ensuring a safe and nurturing experience for both mother and child.

Regionally, the Asia Pacific holds a significant market share due to its large population base and high birth rates. Countries like China and India are key contributors due to their vast consumer base and increasing urbanization. In North America and Europe, the market is driven by high consumer awareness and the availability of a wide range of sophisticated products. In contrast, the Middle East & Africa and Latin America are witnessing gradual growth owing to improving economic conditions and rising awareness.

Product Type Analysis

The baby hygiene products market is diversified across multiple product types, each catering to specific needs and preferences. Diapers constitute the largest segment, driven by their essential role in maintaining baby hygiene. With advancements in absorbent materials and the introduction of eco-friendly options, the diaper market is witnessing robust growth. Disposable diapers remain popular due to their convenience, while cloth diapers are also gaining traction among environmentally-conscious parents.

Baby wipes are another significant segment, essential for cleaning and maintaining hygiene. The demand for biodegradable and alcohol-free wipes has surged as parents become more aware of the potential skin irritations caused by harsh chemicals. Manufacturers are focusing on creating wipes with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile to cater to the sensitive skin of babies.

Baby soaps and shampoos form a crucial part of the market, emphasizing gentle formulations. With a growing pre

Baby Daily Necessities Market Outlook

The global baby daily necessities market size was valued at approximately USD 10 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow to around USD 18 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period. This remarkable growth can be attributed to several factors, including increasing parental expenditure on baby care, rising awareness of baby hygiene, and the surging birth rates in certain regions, which collectively drive the demand for baby daily necessities.

One of the primary growth factors in the baby daily necessities market is the rising focus on infant health and hygiene. Parents today are more aware and concerned about the health and well-being of their infants, which has led to a significant rise in the consumption of high-quality baby care products. This trend is further propelled by the increasing disposable incomes in developing economies, enabling parents to spend more on premium baby products. Additionally, advanced marketing strategies and the availability of a wide range of baby care products across various retail channels contribute to market growth.

Technological advancements in product development are also playing a pivotal role in the market's expansion. Manufacturers are investing heavily in research and development to introduce innovative and safer baby products. For instance, the development of eco-friendly diapers and organic baby skincare products has gained traction among eco-conscious parents. Such advancements not only cater to the growing demand for sustainable products but also enhance the overall safety and effectiveness of baby care items, thus boosting their popularity and sales.

Furthermore, the increasing penetration of e-commerce platforms is significantly influencing the baby daily necessities market. Online retail channels offer a convenient shopping experience, a wide range of options, and competitive pricing, making them a preferred choice for many parents. The COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated this shift towards online shopping, as parents seek to minimize exposure to the virus by avoiding physical stores. The ease of access to product information, customer reviews, and home delivery options provided by e-commerce platforms is expected to sustain this trend post-pandemic, thereby driving market growth.

Regionally, Asia Pacific holds a dominant position in the baby daily necessities market, driven by high birth rates in countries like India and China, coupled with increasing urbanization and rising disposable incomes. North America and Europe also represent significant markets due to the high standards of living and strong consumer awareness regarding baby care products. Conversely, regions like Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are expected to witness moderate growth due to economic constraints and varying levels of market penetration.

Product Type Analysis

The baby daily necessities market can be segmented by product type into diapers, baby wipes, baby skincare products, baby feeding products, baby clothing, and others. Diapers represent one of the largest segments due to their essential role in infant care. The market for diapers is driven by convenience, improvements in absorbency, and the availability of eco-friendly options. Parents are increasingly opting for premium diapers that offer better comfort and hygiene for their babies, contributing to the segment's growth.

Baby wipes are another critical segment, growing in importance due to their versatile use in maintaining baby hygiene. The demand for baby wipes is fueled by their convenience, safety, and ability to prevent skin irritation and infections. Innovations in baby wipes, such as the introduction of biodegradable and organic variants, cater to environmentally conscious consumers and further drive segment growth. The increasing awareness of the importance of maintaining baby hygiene accelerates the adoption of these products.

Baby skincare products, including lotions, powders, and creams, form a significant segment in the baby daily necessities market. Growing parental concern over baby skin health has led to a surge in demand for products that are free from harmful chemicals and are dermatologically tested. The trend towards organic and natural ingredients in baby skincare products is gaining momentum, as parents seek to minimize the risk of allergies and skin condi

According to an annual survey conducted in China in the beginning of 2025, around 66 percent of surveyed female professionals said that gender inequality at work persists because of the ongoing childbirth burden for women. Only 23 percent of male respondents agreed with that opinion. However, an equal proportion of men and women thought that gender discrimination at work is caused by educational reasons.

In 2023, it is estimated that the BRICS countries have a combined population of 3.25 billion people, which is over 40 percent of the world population. The majority of these people live in either China or India, which have a population of more than 1.4 billion people each, while the other three countries have a combined population of just under 420 million. Comparisons Although the BRICS countries are considered the five foremost emerging economies, they are all at various stages of the demographic transition and have different levels of population development. For all of modern history, China has had the world's largest population, but rapidly dropping fertility and birth rates in recent decades mean that its population growth has slowed. In contrast, India's population growth remains much higher, and it is expected to overtake China in the next few years to become the world's most populous country. The fastest growing population in the BRICS bloc, however, is that of South Africa, which is at the earliest stage of demographic development. Russia, is the only BRICS country whose population is currently in decline, and it has been experiencing a consistent natural decline for most of the past three decades. Growing populations = growing opportunities Between 2000 and 2026, the populations of the BRICS countries is expected to grow by 625 million people, and the majority of this will be in India and China. As the economies of these two countries grow, so too do living standards and disposable income; this has resulted in the world's two most populous countries emerging as two of the most profitable markets in the world. China, sometimes called the "world's factory" has seen a rapid growth in its middle class, increased potential of its low-tier market, and its manufacturing sector is now transitioning to the production of more technologically advanced and high-end goods to meet its domestic demand.

The statistic shows the 20 countries with the lowest fertility rates in 2024. All figures are estimates. In 2024, the fertility rate in Taiwan was estimated to be at 1.11 children per woman, making it the lowest fertility rate worldwide. Fertility rate The fertility rate is the average number of children born per woman of child-bearing age in a country. Usually, a woman aged between 15 and 45 is considered to be in her child-bearing years. The fertility rate of a country provides an insight into its economic state, as well as the level of health and education of its population. Developing countries usually have a higher fertility rate due to lack of access to birth control and contraception, and to women usually foregoing a higher education, or even any education at all, in favor of taking care of housework. Many families in poorer countries also need their children to help provide for the family by starting to work early and/or as caretakers for their parents in old age. In developed countries, fertility rates and birth rates are usually much lower, as birth control is easier to obtain and women often choose a career before becoming a mother. Additionally, if the number of women of child-bearing age declines, so does the fertility rate of a country. As can be seen above, countries like Hong Kong are a good example for women leaving the patriarchal structures and focusing on their own career instead of becoming a mother at a young age, causing a decline of the country’s fertility rate. A look at the fertility rate per woman worldwide by income group also shows that women with a low income tend to have more children than those with a high income. The United States are neither among the countries with the lowest, nor among those with the highest fertility rate, by the way. At 2.08 children per woman, the fertility rate in the US has been continuously slightly below the global average of about 2.4 children per woman over the last decade.

In 2024, Germany was the leading EU country in terms of population, with around 85 million inhabitants. In 2050, approximately 89.2 million people will live in Germany, according to the forecast. See the total EU population figures for more information. The global population The global population is rapidly increasing. Between 1990 and 2015, it increased by around 2 billion people. Furthermore, it is estimated that the global population will have increased by another 1 billion by 2030. Asia is the continent with the largest population, followed by Africa and Europe. In Asia,the two most populous nations worldwide are located, China and India. In 2014, the combined population in China and India alone amounted to more than 2.6 billion people. for comparison, the total population in the whole continent of Europe is at around 741 million people. As of 2014, about 60 percent of the global population was living in Asia, with only approximately 10 percent in Europe and even less in the United States. Europe is the continent with the second-highest life expectancy at birth in the world, only barely surpassed by Northern America. In 2013, the life expectancy at birth in Europe was around 78 years. Stable economies and developing and emerging markets in European countries provide for good living conditions. Seven of the top twenty countries in the world with the largest gross domestic product in 2015 are located in Europe.

The statistic shows the total population of India from 2019 to 2029. In 2023, the estimated total population in India amounted to approximately 1.43 billion people.

Total population in India

India currently has the second-largest population in the world and is projected to overtake top-ranking China within forty years. Its residents comprise more than one-seventh of the entire world’s population, and despite a slowly decreasing fertility rate (which still exceeds the replacement rate and keeps the median age of the population relatively low), an increasing life expectancy adds to an expanding population. In comparison with other countries whose populations are decreasing, such as Japan, India has a relatively small share of aged population, which indicates the probability of lower death rates and higher retention of the existing population.

With a land mass of less than half that of the United States and a population almost four times greater, India has recognized potential problems of its growing population. Government attempts to implement family planning programs have achieved varying degrees of success. Initiatives such as sterilization programs in the 1970s have been blamed for creating general antipathy to family planning, but the combined efforts of various family planning and contraception programs have helped halve fertility rates since the 1960s. The population growth rate has correspondingly shrunk as well, but has not yet reached less than one percent growth per year.

As home to thousands of ethnic groups, hundreds of languages, and numerous religions, a cohesive and broadly-supported effort to reduce population growth is difficult to create. Despite that, India is one country to watch in coming years. It is also a growing economic power; among other measures, its GDP per capita was expected to triple between 2003 and 2013 and was listed as the third-ranked country for its share of the global gross domestic product.

In 1800, the population of Japan was just over 30 million, a figure which would grow by just two million in the first half of the 19th century. However, with the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate and the restoration of the emperor in the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Japan would begin transforming from an isolated feudal island, to a modernized empire built on Western models. The Meiji period would see a rapid rise in the population of Japan, as industrialization and advancements in healthcare lead to a significant reduction in child mortality rates, while the creation overseas colonies would lead to a strong economic boom. However, this growth would slow beginning in 1937, as Japan entered a prolonged war with the Republic of China, which later grew into a major theater of the Second World War. The war was eventually brought to Japan's home front, with the escalation of Allied air raids on Japanese urban centers from 1944 onwards (Tokyo was the most-bombed city of the Second World War). By the war's end in 1945 and the subsequent occupation of the island by the Allied military, Japan had suffered over two and a half million military fatalities, and over one million civilian deaths.

The population figures of Japan were quick to recover, as the post-war “economic miracle” would see an unprecedented expansion of the Japanese economy, and would lead to the country becoming one of the first fully industrialized nations in East Asia. As living standards rose, the population of Japan would increase from 77 million in 1945, to over 127 million by the end of the century. However, growth would begin to slow in the late 1980s, as birth rates and migration rates fell, and Japan eventually grew to have one of the oldest populations in the world. The population would peak in 2008 at just over 128 million, but has consistently fallen each year since then, as the fertility rate of the country remains below replacement level (despite government initiatives to counter this) and the country's immigrant population remains relatively stable. The population of Japan is expected to continue its decline in the coming years, and in 2020, it is estimated that approximately 126 million people inhabit the island country.