Post by : Meena
Hassan
In 2025, China’s population has experienced a decline for the fourth year running, with a decrease of 3.39 million, bringing the total to 1.4 billion, according to official statistics released on Monday. The nation is grappling with its lowest birth rate since 1949, recorded at just 5.63 births per 1,000 individuals, while the death rate has climbed to 8.04 per 1,000, the highest since 1968.
This population reduction raises alarms regarding an aging demographic and a sluggish economy. In response, the government has initiated numerous policies aimed at encouraging higher birth rates, including the abolition of the one-child policy in 2016 and the allowance of three children per family from 2021, alongside financial incentives of 3,600 yuan ($500) for each child under three.
In addition to national strategies, certain provinces are offering additional bonuses and extended maternity leave. Nevertheless, these initiatives have not yet altered the downward trend. A contentious 13% tax on contraceptives has sparked concerns regarding its effects on family planning and public health.
China’s fertility rate remains among the lowest globally at approximately one child per woman, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1. This trend echoes across other East Asian economies like South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan.
The high costs associated with raising children deter many young couples from having families. Many individuals prefer lifestyles that avoid the burdens of intensive child-rearing, leading to some choosing to remain childless to maintain personal freedom.
Experts caution that the trend of population decline is likely to persist, with UN projections indicating that China could lose over half of its population by the year 2100. This contraction presents serious economic issues, including a dwindling workforce, sluggish consumer spending, and escalating pension liabilities.
An increasing number of elderly residents now find themselves living independently or heavily reliant on limited state assistance, while pension funds are at risk of depletion, placing the country in a race against time to ensure adequate care for its senior population.
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