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As China continues its efforts to curb the declining Birth rates, the country is set to conduct a large-scale survey to better understand the public’s concerns about having children. The China Population and Development Research Center, affiliated with the National Health Commission, will conduct a study involving 30,000 participants from 1,500 communities across 150 counties to examine the underlying causes of the falling birth rates.
The Legacy of the One-Child Policy Persists
The strict one-child policy implemented in the late 1980s to control population growth has resulted in a long-term decline in China’s birth rates. In 2023, the country’s total population decreased for the second consecutive year, with China losing its title as the world’s most populous country to India in April.
Concerns About Having Children to Be Investigated
The Global Times reported on Thursday that the survey aims to analyze people’s concerns and fears about having children. The study will also provide data to government agencies to help develop policies that support fertility. The survey will focus on understanding the impact of factors such as economic conditions and the cost of living on fertility decisions.
To Coincide with a New Population Survey
This survey marks the first of its kind since the nationwide family and fertility survey conducted in 2021. It will also coincide with a sampling survey by the National Bureau of Statistics, scheduled between October 10 and November 30, to monitor demographic changes across the country.
Policies Promoting Marriage and Family
In September, Chinese health officials announced plans to encourage marriage and childbirth at “appropriate ages,” emphasizing the importance of sharing parenting responsibilities to foster positive attitudes toward marriage, family, and having children among young people.
Xi Jinping’s Call to Boost Fertility
As part of the efforts to halt the population decline, China ended the one-child policy in 2015 and began offering economic incentives, such as tax breaks, to encourage couples to have at least two children. In October 2022, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared boosting birth rates a national priority, announcing a proactive national strategy to address the aging population.
Debates on Retirement Age
However, these initiatives have not yet had a lasting impact, with rising living costs prompting people to delay or even reconsider having children. Due to the urgency created by the shrinking workforce, Chinese lawmakers discussed a proposal in September to gradually raise the legal retirement age.
As China’s efforts to tackle population decline and aging continue, the upcoming survey is expected to play a crucial role in shaping fertility policies by providing valuable data.
