China's fertility rate plummets to historic low in 2022: unraveling the trend.

China is facing a significant decline in its fertility rate, which has reached a historic low of 1.09 in 2022. This alarming drop is reported by China's Population and Development Research Center, highlighting the country's efforts to counter its diminishing birth rate. Remarkably, China now holds the lowest fertility rate among nations with populations exceeding 100 million. This decline in fertility aligns China with other countries like South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore, which also grapple with exceptionally low birth rates.

Challenges and responses

China's dwindling birth rate follows its first population decrease in over six decades, compounded by rapid population aging. In response, the Chinese government is taking measures to boost childbirth rates, including financial incentives and improved childcare facilities. Beijing aims to enhance population quality through education, science, and technology, while maintaining a "moderate fertility" level to support economic growth.

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Several factors contribute to China's population decline. High childcare costs and limited career opportunities after childbirth have deterred many women from having more children, if any at all. Gender discrimination and traditional stereotypes that place the burden of childcare on women persist in the country. Furthermore, paternity leave remains limited across most provinces in China.

In Hong Kong, the Family Planning Association reported a stark increase in childless women, which more than doubled over the past five years to reach 43.2% last year. Similarly, the percentage of couples with one or two children has decreased. Additionally, the average number of children per woman dropped from 1.3 in 2017 to a record low of 0.9 last year, as evidenced by the association's survey.

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China's struggle with a diminishing fertility rate is a complex issue with far-reaching implications. The government's focus on measures to encourage childbirth, while addressing gender inequalities and work-life balance challenges, reflects an attempt to counteract this trend. As China grapples with these demographic shifts, its efforts to strike a balance between population growth and economic sustainability remain paramount.