105 years on, China's Communist Party hits 100 million members — but faces aging and slowing growth

China's Communist Party surpassed 100 million members last year, but its growth is slowing and its membership is aging.

The party's Central Committee Organization Department released data Tuesday to mark the party's founding anniversary, showing membership reached about 101 million at the end of last year — a 1 percent increase from the previous year — according to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning wrote on social media that 105 years ago, the party had fewer than 60 members. "Today, that number has grown to about 101 million, with about 5.4 million party organizations," she said.

"Keeping such a vast party united and running efficiently is nothing short of a miracle," she added. "We have done it, we are doing it, and we will do it even better."

When the party was founded on July 1, 1921, it had fewer than 60 members, including Mao Zedong. After rapid expansion, it is now the world's second-largest political party by membership.

The largest is India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with about 140 million members.

The Communist Party is grappling with aging membership and slowing growth, trends that mirror China's broader demographic crisis driven by a low birth rate.

Last year's 1 percent growth rate was the lowest in five years, declining every year since it peaked at 3.7 percent in 2021.

Members aged 60 and older now account for more than 30 percent of the total — also a five-year high — up slightly from about 29 percent in 2024.

Meanwhile, the share of members aged 35 and under fell from about 25 percent in 2021 to about 22 percent last year.

China's population has declined for four consecutive years due to its low birth rate. Party members as a share of the total population has risen from 6.85 percent in 2021 to 7.21 percent last year.

The share of female members is growing. Women made up 30.9 percent of the party in 2024 and 31.5 percent last year.

Participation by college-educated members is also rising, with the share holding a bachelor's degree or higher climbing from 57.6 percent to 59 percent over the same period.

Joining the Communist Party requires a recommendation from an existing member, followed by background checks and a review of political views. Candidates also undergo an observation period before formal admission.

Party membership is considered nearly essential for advancement in public institutions and state-owned enterprises in China, a requirement that is expanding into the private sector as well.

China is preparing large-scale events to mark the party's 105th founding anniversary, with President Xi Jinping expected to deliver a keynote address at the commemoration ceremony on Thursday.