Economist Podcasts Baby bust: China’s census
May 12, 2021
Simon Rabinovich, Asia economics editor for The Economist, dives into China's groundbreaking census data, revealing a stagnating population and the economic challenges of an aging demographic. Alice Fullwood, the Wall Street correspondent, discusses the rise of central bank digital currencies, or 'govcoins,' and their potential to reshape monetary policy and access to banking. The episode also touches on fascinating wildlife research from Ecuador that uses roadkill to track elusive species, showcasing the unexpected ecological insights gleaned from this method.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
China's Population Growth Slows
- China's population, the world's largest, is still growing but expected to peak soon.
- The latest census revealed a 5% growth over the past decade, reaching over 1.4 billion people.
Government Spin on Census
- The Chinese government delayed releasing census results and presented a positive spin.
- They emphasized the overall population increase, downplaying the slowing growth rate.
Data Discrepancies
- Some inconsistencies exist in the data, including an unexplained increase of 10 million people.
- Reports suggest the government may be overestimating the population to maintain the 1.4 billion mark.