China said today its first national census in a decade put the mainland's population at 1.26 billion and its growth is slowing.
The world's largest population grew by 132.2 million since 1990, a rise of 11.7 per cent. Annual growth was 1.07 per cent - down 0.4 per cent from the 1980s rate.
China's compulsory birth control was effective in holding down growth, the National Bureau of Statistics said.
Since the late 1970s, China has restricted urban couples and many rural families to one child to ease the strain on food production and other resources.
The census also showed the population is becoming better educated and more urbanised, even though most Chinese, 64 per cent, still live in the countryside.
Other figures showed a disturbing trend: The lopsided ratio of males to females is growing more severe.
A 1999 survey found there were 117 male births for every 100 girls - up from a ratio of 111 boys to 100 girls in 1990.
It is claimed women are using ultrasound scanners to detect and abort female foetuses. Families may also not be reporting female babies to the authorities.
Chinese couples allowed one child often prefer a boy to tend the family plot, carry on the family name and care for them in old age. Girls traditionally join their husband's family after marriage.
AP