Henan faces first population drop in 62 years

Henan province has experienced a population shrink for the first time in 62 years, indicating the fertility of rural people is declining as well, according to leading population scientists.

A statement from the Henan Province Bureau of Statistics on Feb 20 showed the total population of the province continued to decline in 2022. At the end of 2022, the total permanent residents in Henan was 98.72 million, a decrease of 110 thousand compared to the end of 2021.

In 2022, the number of births in Henan was 733 thousand, while the number of deaths was 741 thousand, it said. As a result, Henan's natural population decreased by 8,000.

Nationwide, Henan's population was the third-largest in 2022, after Guangdong's 12.64 million and Shandong's 10.17 million.

"For a long time, Henan was a populous and major agricultural province with a high fertility rate. The negative natural growth rate indicates the fertility of rural people is declining. Combined with the export of labor, it aggravates the situation," said Yuan Xin, a professor at Nankai University.

The seventh national census showed the rural population in Henan decreased from 57.81 million in 2010 to 44.287 million in 2020, a drop of 16.91 percent.

"Henan's population trend is broadly consistent with that of China. However, there is no need to worry about labor shortages for the short term. Before 2050, Henan's total population and working-age population will stay at 90 million and 60 million respectively. Then population decline and aging will accelerate. We are carrying out strategic studies and taking comprehensive measures in advance," said Zhang Yuanzhen, president of the Henan Population Association.