Workers of the world by Marcelo Duhalde

This infographic delves into China's workforce composition and educational index within the broader scope of global population trends and education levels. It draws inspiration from crucial demographic transformations, such as China's declining population, India's ascendancy as the most populous country, and China's strategic pivot from capitalizing on its population dividend towards nurturing a talent dividend.

China's Education Index score is positioned at a moderate level of 0.57, contrasting sharply with Iceland's top score of 0.94 and Niger's bottom score of 0.17. At present, China's working-age population constitutes a substantial 69.4% of its total population, marking its significant contribution to the global workforce. By comparing the relationship between the Education Index and the working-age population, and taking into account the sheer size of China's population, it clearly demonstrates the pivotal role China plays in the global educational and labour landscapes.

However, factors such as an ageing population and low birth rates suggest that China's working-age population is projected to shrink substantially. This anticipated shift raises intriguing questions about the future makeup of the global workforce.

Broadening the perspective, the infographic also examines other countries. For instance, India, whose working-age population is currently lower than China's, is expected to surpass China in the near future. Additionally, the infographic highlights South Korea, known for its record-low birth rate, and Japan, a country renowned for its aging population. These comparisons provide a more comprehensive view of the global demographic scene and potential impending shifts.