China's population crosses 1.4 bn, growth closer to zero in 2020

China's population growth is falling closer to zero as fewer couples have children, the government announced on Tuesday. Beijing said that its population has passed 1.4 billion, as it unveiled its once-in-a-decade census.

The population rose by 72 million over the past decade to 1.411 billion in 2020, the govt said adding that the annual growth averaged 0.53%, decelerating from the previous decade.

Beijing changed family planning rules in 2016 to allow families to have two children as fears grew about China's fast-ageing population and shrinking workforce.