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China's Birthrate Plummets: A Nation Shrinks
21 Jan
Summary
- China's birth rate dropped 17% between 2024 and 2025.
- The country's population has been shrinking since 2022.
- Raising a child in China remains extremely expensive.
China's population is shrinking at an alarming rate, with birth numbers plummeting to historic lows. The birthrate saw a staggering 17 percent drop between 2024 and 2025, reaching its lowest point since 1949. This demographic downturn, a consequence of past population control measures, has led to a contracting population since 2022.
The government is now attempting to reverse this trend, even removing tax incentives on contraceptives and urging women to have more children. However, these interventions appear to have minimal impact. Sociologists note that monetary incentives have proven ineffective in boosting fertility rates in other nations.
The high cost of raising children, coupled with economic uncertainties, contributes to declining interest in starting families. Experts suggest that young people may be hesitant to have children amidst China's current economic challenges. This demographic crisis is projected to have severe consequences, including a shrinking workforce and increased strain on social systems.
