As China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) enters its final year, newly released statistics reveal transformative demographic changes reshaping the nation's social and economic fabric. The National Bureau of Statistics reports measurable progress across three key indicators: life expectancy, urbanization rates, and educational attainment.
Longevity Leap
Life expectancy reached 79 years in 2024, marking a 1.07-year increase since 2020 and standing five years above the global average. This improvement reflects upgraded healthcare infrastructure and expanded social services across the Chinese mainland.
Urban Transformation
Urbanization rates continue their steady climb, with 65% of China's population now residing in cities. This shift supports industrial modernization while creating new challenges for sustainable urban planning.
Education Revolution
Average years of schooling have increased significantly since 2021, creating a workforce better equipped for high-tech industries. Technical training programs have expanded particularly in emerging sectors like renewable energy and AI development.
As the plan concludes this year, analysts anticipate these demographic shifts will influence China's 15th Five-Year Plan priorities, particularly in addressing aging populations and regional development gaps.
