For the past two decades, China’s economy has relied on fast growth. During that period, its GDP has grown about 10 percent a year, an unheard of rate that outpaced almost every other nation, including the U.S. and Japan. Most countries are happy with two to four percent annual growth.

That increase has been the result of major leaps in population, plus a government commitment to industrialization. China hit its manufacturing stride in the 90s, followed by leaps in energy and agriculture in the early 2000s.

The big question about China, however, is whether the country can maintain such feverish growth. One indicator—its population—says China’s economic future won’t be as bright as its recent past.

China’s overall population continues to grow. But it’s