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China’s population crisis: is it irreversible?
China’s marriage and fertility rates remain on a downward trajectory, fueling a demographic crisis that threatens its economic and social stability. In this series, we examine Beijing’s efforts to mitigate the crisis and explore the far-reaching consequences of a shrinking and ageing population, from the challenges faced by the “one-child generation” to the economic risks associated with losing the demographic dividend.
Updated: 28 Aug, 2025
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[1]
China’s new child subsidy is popular. But will it actually raise the birth rate?
China hopes the payments will convince couples to have more children. Parents say that is highly unlikely to happen.
24 Aug, 2025

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[2]
Can China’s kindergartens survive steep drop-off in prospective pupils?
With fewer children being born in China, the country’s kindergartens are struggling to find a viable way forward.
13 Jul, 2025

[3]
How this corner of China is still embracing big families amid national decline
While the rest of China attempts to boost birth rates as the population ages, why has the southern province stayed relatively resilient?
23 Apr, 2025

[4]
Can birth subsidies save China from its looming population crisis?
China is betting big on birth subsidies to stave off a demographic crisis. But do cash payments really work?
26 Mar, 2025

[5]
Too busy for love in time of baby bust: Chinese students embrace being single
Fears expressed that heavier burdens stemming from a focus on finding a job and making money could add to China’s demographic crisis.
29 Dec, 2024

[6]
China’s lonely-heart crisis fuels a growing ‘companionship economy’
As Chinese society becomes more atomised, consumers devoid of human interaction are increasingly opening their wallets to stave off loneliness.
17 Nov, 2024

[7]
China’s current pro-birth policies cannot offset population crisis, expert warns
Cash subsidies for multiple children are doing little to offset China’s declining fertility rate that has far-reaching economic implications.
19 Oct, 2024

[8]
Can an ageing, shrinking China still achieve prosperity?
Growing elderly population another conundrum for Chinese policymakers grappling with high youth unemployment and ‘ultra-low’ fertility.
13 Oct, 2024

[9]
How China’s ‘little emperors’ went from monarchs to overwhelmed caregivers
China’s one-child policy has created a zero-sibling generation – and caring for parents and children in a tough economy is taking its toll.
02 Oct, 2024

[10]
How raising China’s retirement age can help Beijing buy time to plug pension gap
Last week, China announced plans to gradually raise retirement ages by up to five years by 2040, starting from January.
17 Sep, 2024

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