China’s population growth slowest in decades

According to details, the average annual growth rate was 0.53% over the past one decade, down from a rate of 0.57% between 2000 and 2010 - bringing the population to 1.41bn.

The results have increased pressure on Chinese government to boost measures for couples to have more babies and avert a population decline.

The results were announced in a once-a-decade census, which was originally expected to be released in April.

The census was conducted last year where officials had gone door-to-door to collect data from Chinese households.

Given the sheer number of people surveyed, it is considered the most comprehensive resource on China's population, which is important for future planning.

The slowest population growth is attributed to Beijing’s controversial one-child policy, which was introduced in 1979 to slow population growth.

Families that violated the rules faced fines, loss of job opportunities and sometimes forced abortions.

In 2016, the government ended the policy and allowed couples to have two children.