The decline in births in China has become a major concern for Chinese policymakers, leading to calls for urgent action. Leading economist Ma Jiantang has highlighted the issue, stating that structural changes in China’s population require immediate attention. Official government statistics revealed a significant decrease in births in 2023 compared to previous years, leading to a population decline.
President Xi Jinping has also emphasized the importance of promoting a new culture of marriage and childbearing for national development. However, many young people in China are choosing to stay single or delay marriage due to factors such as poor job prospects, record youth unemployment, and low consumer confidence amid slowing economic growth. These trends are contributing to the declining birth rate in the country.
To address the low birth rate and ageing population, Ma Jiantang recommended implementing policies such as assisted reproductive technology, registration of children born out of wedlock, improved birth insurance, extended maternity leave, and more childcare centers. He emphasized that these policies could have a positive impact on the economy by addressing the shrinking workforce caused by an ageing population.
