China's population to peak at 1.4 billion

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- China's population will likely top out at slightly less than 1.4 billion in 2026, lower than previously predicted, the U.S. Census Bureau said Tuesday.

Data released as part of the Census Bureau's population estimates and projections for 227 countries and areas also indicated that India's population is projected to surpass China's in 2025.

Officials said the new estimates included revisions for some countries, including China, where population is expected to decline both earlier and more sharply than previously thought due to declining fertility. The Bureau said China's total fertility rate is estimated to have been 2.2 births per woman in 1990, 1.8 in 1995 and less than 1.6 since 2000 -- currently half a birth below that of the United States.

China surpassed the 1.2 billion population mark in 1994 and reached 1.3 billion in 2006. Its labor force, however, will continue to grow for several years is not expected to peak until 2016 at 831 million, 24 million more workers than it has now.

India's population growth rate currently is about 1.4 percent, nearly three times that of China, while its total fertility rate is currently estimated at 2.7 births per woman.