What's happened
China's declining birth rates and marriage registrations pose significant challenges to its economy and social structure. With only 9 million births in 2023, the lowest since 1949, the government is implementing measures to encourage marriage and childbirth amid an ageing population and economic stagnation.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, the number of registered marriages in China dropped significantly, with only 4.75 million marriages in the first nine months of 2024, a 16.6% decrease from the previous year. This decline in marriages is mirrored by a drop in births, with projections suggesting a birth rate of only 8 million in 2025. The Independent highlights that the number of kindergartens has also decreased, reflecting the broader demographic crisis. The Guardian notes that many kindergartens are being converted into elder care facilities, indicating a shift in societal needs. These sources collectively illustrate the urgent demographic challenges China faces and the government's attempts to reverse these trends through various incentives and policy changes.
How we got here
China's demographic crisis stems from decades of strict family planning policies, including the one-child policy, which was officially ended in 2016. Despite recent shifts to encourage larger families, the birth rate continues to decline, exacerbated by economic pressures and changing societal norms.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.