China is facing a potentially disastrous population decline

China is a land of contrast. One of the most populated countries in the world, this Asian giant is currently dealing with one of the lowest birth rates on Earth.

Newsweek reports that Beijing has started a national survey to better understand why Chinese citizens “are afraid” of having children.

Over 30,000 people across 1,500 communities will participate in the nationwide survey, helping the Chinese government to understand changing social attitudes towards parenthood.

According to Reuters, the economic pressure related to starting a family and raising children has been a major factor dissuading young couples, particularly looking at the uncertainty of the job market.

Demographers who spoke to Reuters highlighted that gender discrimination and traditional expectations aimed at Chinese women is an important factor.

For several decades, the People’s Republic of China, followed a one-child policy aimed to reduce overpopulation. However, it seems to have worked a little too well.

According to Newsweek, despite Beijing ending the one-child policy in 2016, along with other policies seeking to stimulate population growth. So far, this has not yielded results.

Reuters informs that China, despite having a population of circa 1.4 billion people, is facing a record-low birth rate with a slow but steady population drop since 2022.

The previous time China’s recorded deaths surpassed births was in 1961, amid the Great Famine under the government of Mao Zedong.

According to UN experts, China’s population could shrink as much as 109 million by 2050.

Newsweek highlights that this could take a toll in the Asian superpower’s workforce, including the Chinese military, one of the biggest and mightiest of the world. Could this be the sun setting for the Asian superpower?

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