The Chinese population is shrinking, and the UN forecasts that the Chinese working age population will decline by roughly 100 million people every decade. These demographic headwinds are significant and a major drag on growth in China, see below and in our chart book available here.
A shrinking population with fewer working age individuals means fewer taxpayers, more spending on government services for retired people, and overcapacity, as companies can no longer fill existing factories with workers.
For investors, the implication is slower growth, more disinflationary pressures, and weaker global demand for commodities.
