Chinese population headed for 1.5 billion

The population of China, already the world's most populous country despite its one child policy, will grow to 1.5 billion people by 2033, with birth rates set to soar over the next five years.

China's population, now 1.3 billion, would reach 1.45 to 1.46 billion by 2020, before reaching a peak of 1.5 billion in 2033, the Beijing News said, citing Zhai Zhenwu, head of a population research institute at People's University in Beijing.

"Currently, China is adding 16 million people a year. By 2012, annual [population increase] will reach a peak of 19 million," it quoted Zhai as saying.