Intense Societal Pressures and Pro-Birth Policies Struggle to Combat China's Fertility Crisis
Understanding China's Fertility Rate Crisis
Intense societal pressures and ineffective pro-birth policies are central to China’s ongoing fertility crisis. According to the YuWa Population Research Institute, the country’s fertility rate has plummeted to 1.09 in 2022, with projections of falling below replacement levels.
The Impact of Societal Pressures
- High child-rearing costs are discouraging families from having more children.
- Intense educational competition further exacerbates the situation.
- Gender inequality remains a critical barrier to increasing fertility rates.
Government Initiatives and Their Limitations
Despite various pronatalist policies, including cash subsidies and tax breaks aimed at encouraging families, the measures have fallen short of reversing the declining trend. In Hubei’s Jingzhou city, for example, families receive 6,000 yuan for a second child and 12,000 yuan for a third.
Lessons from South Korea
Comparisons with South Korea, whose fertility rate has dropped to 0.72, reveal a similar trajectory fueled by societal and economic factors. Both nations face pressing challenges that make raising children increasingly unaffordable and undesirable.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.