Those aged under 18 make up 22.5 percent of the population, 300 million, according to the China Child Welfare Policy Report, released on Friday.

Some 104 million are under 6, accounting for 7.9 percent of the population.

Of these, 60 million are under 3, and 45 million are between 4 and 6.

More than half of the children are living in rural areas, according to the report.