China's population had risen to 1.306 billion by November 1, 2005, up 3.2 percent from the figure of November 1, 2000 when the Fifth National Population Census was conducted, the National Bureau of Statistics have reported.

The new figures come as a result of China's third 1 percent sample census conducted on November 1, 2005. In the 1980s as well as the National Census the Chinese government started to gather information from just one percent of the population.

Based on the sample census, researchers estimated China's population would be 1.307 billion at the end of 2005.

The country's population has grown at an annual rate of 0.63 percent or 8.09 million in the past five years, the report states. According to targets set out in the 10th Five-Year Plan, natural population growth rate was controlled at less than nine per thousand and capping the population at no more than 1.33 billion by 2005.

According to the sample census, more than 11 percent of the population are 60 or over with men accounting for 51.53 percent of the total population and woman 48.47 percent. The figures indicate there's an ever increasing number of people in the 'grey group' which could result in pressure being put on various services. The figures also show a slight gender imbalance. The census also identified the transient population in China as being 147.35 million.

China, the most populous country in the world, has carried out five national censuses since 1949.

(Xinhua News Agency March 17, 2006)