AI Data Insight
China's rural population dropped sharply to 451.09 million in 2025, a decrease of 13.69 million (-2.9%) from the previous year, accelerating the country's demographic shift. While urbanization pushed the urban residency rate to roughly 68%, the concurrent decline in total national population suggests rural areas are facing a 'double squeeze' of out-migration and natural negative growth. Analysts warn this rapid 'hollowing out' poses structural risks to agricultural labor supply and rural consumption stability.