China workers decline as demographic time bomb ticks

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Beijing (AFP) - China's working-age population continued to fall in 2014, the government said on Tuesday, as Beijing struggles to address a spiralling demographic challenge made worse by its one-child policy.

Mainland China's total population stood at 1.37 billion at the end of 2014, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, an increase of 7.1 million over the end of 2013. It remains the world's largest, although India has been catching up in recent years.

The working-age population -- which China defines as those between the ages of 16 and 59 -- dropped to 915.8 million last year, the NBS said, down 3.7 million from the end of 2013.

The population aged 60 and over, by contrast, rose by more than 10 million to 212.4 million, or 15.5 percent of the total population.

Projections show that one in four of the population -- or 350 million Chinese -- will be aged 60 or older by 2030, compared with just five percent as late as 1982.

http://news.yahoo.com/china-workers-decline-demographic-time-bomb-ticks-064413419.html

Somehow seems familiar.

[Sousuke 1,214]

Somehow seems familiar.

Japan? Yeah some economists have said in the past that China would repeat Japan's growth pattern - ie. China is entering Japan's 1980s where growth will drop to 4-5% for awhile before a massive real estate crash from which it will never fully grow out of.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I was thinking more US. Without all these new workers coming to the US, we are doomed.

[GandD 5,966]

This is something I am really interested to see work out. This is such a huge cloud hanging over china. What did I hear recently about Japan's birth rate as of now? Something like the current rate would equal 0 people in 1000 years. It is a good thing that population decreases and completely expected when the cost to raise children blows up like it has.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

So what are we saying here? China is not going to take over the world?

[GandD 5,966]

I don't believe so. But what do I know? I have a hard time believing you can run a fear based government with an emerging middle class. At some point educated people will start making noise about rights and what not. No, the totalitarians best friend is poverty, lack of education, and a pinch of brain washing (whatever the flavor may be)

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I don't believe so. But what do I know? I have a hard time believing you can run a fear based government with an emerging middle class. At some point educated people will start making noise about rights and what not. No, the totalitarians best friend is poverty, lack of education, and a pinch of brain washing (whatever the flavor may be)

China will have no choice but to transition away from communism. Along with improving living standards and a more educated population you also get increased access to information. More and more people will want their government to be accountable.

[Operator 1,927]

I don't believe so. But what do I know? I have a hard time believing you can run a fear based government with an emerging middle class. At some point educated people will start making noise about rights and what not. No, the totalitarians best friend is poverty, lack of education, and a pinch of brain washing (whatever the flavor may be)

From my perspective China's government is better described today as authoritarian rather than totalitarian but they sure do like to let the people know who is in charge. This also sounds familiar....

[GandD 5,966]

From my perspective China's government is better described today as authoritarian rather than totalitarian but they sure do like to let the people know who is in charge. This also sounds familiar....

Yeah, I was having this conversation with my wife during the Hong Kong protests. They were protesting because china will only all their hand picked candidates to be on the ballet. I started to feel bad for them then I realized it was the same as us.

[Operator 1,927]

Yeah, I was having this conversation with my wife during the Hong Kong protests. They were protesting because china will only all their hand picked candidates to be on the ballet. I started to feel bad for them then I realized it was the same as us.

Not much difference right? I think it's important to note that there are votes being cast. That in itself is something good.

Regarding the OP, to go along with the growing population of Olds it has become popular and within the letter of the law to sue your child or children for not supporting you properly in your golden years. Don't come to visit often enough??? Call the law. Don't send enough money??? Call the law.

Keeps you on your toes!

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Regarding the OP, to go along with the growing population of Olds it has become popular and within the letter of the law to sue your child or children for not supporting you properly in your golden years. Don't come to visit often enough??? Call the law. Don't send enough money??? Call the law.

Old people really suck. And they vote.

[Operator 1,927]

Old people really suck. And they vote.

Plus they smell funny and mumble a lot.

[GandD 5,966]

Plus they smell funny and mumble a lot.

I liked that movie "Up!"