By John Q. Hosedrinker 
China’s population continues to shrink for the fourth consecutive year, reaching 1.404 billion in 2025, which is 3 million less than the previous year. The birth rate in 2025, at 5.63 per 1,000 people, marked the lowest on record since 1949, and the number of newborns decreased to 7.92 million. Facing demographic pressures and an aging population, the government has implemented policies like cash subsidies, taxing condoms, and eliminating taxes on daycares to encourage more births, but the efforts have not been successful so far. Experts note that larger issues like housing costs, job opportunities, and education expectations need to be addressed to see any major changes.
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China’s population is shrinking again, a trend underscored by the lowest birth rate since the dawn of the communist revolution in 1949. This is a topic that sparks a lot of thoughts, and honestly, it’s got me wondering about the bigger picture.
It seems the core problem isn’t just about people *not* wanting children; it’s the struggles of forging and maintaining relationships in the first place. You know, many high schools in China have strict rules about dating, pushing students to focus solely on academics. That means young people often miss out on those early relationship experiences, which can lead to feeling unprepared for dating later on. Plus, the demanding work culture, similar to what you see in Japan, leaves little time for personal lives and building families. It’s a case of long working hours crowding out the space needed for relationships and child-rearing. I think it’s about time we seriously consider shorter workweeks. If people had more free time and energy, it could really make a difference. The economic and social benefits might be huge.
It’s tempting to think that financial incentives would solve the problem, but it’s not that simple. You can’t just buy a relationship or a family. The truth is, many people are facing a tough reality – a squeeze on their personal lives, where happiness, safety, and freedom are increasingly under pressure. It’s a situation seen worldwide, not just in China.
Now, let’s look at the numbers. While China’s GDP grew, it grew by 5% in 2025. It is important to note that technology is increasingly helping economies produce more with fewer workers, which may offset a shortage of workers. Additionally, China has a growing elderly population. The number of Chinese over 60 is expected to jump by a whopping 24% between 2025 and 2035. During that time, the economy is projected to grow by 63%. The real issue isn’t a shortage of workers or too many seniors; it’s how countries support their older citizens. If the system relies on taxing wages, like the US, it may fail. But if the burden is shared across different economic sectors, it could be a different story.
It’s a fact that a declining population will ultimately hurt the Chinese economy, and the Communist Party too. Economic growth has depended on high birth rates and a large population for decades, and the slowing of both is a clear sign of change. This is something that’s concerning many, especially in business circles. But, in the long run, and for the planet as a whole, maybe a smaller population isn’t such a bad thing.
However, it’s also worth saying that the issues aren’t just in China. We see this in the US, too. There are more people than jobs available and it’s getting worse. This is a global thing. High housing prices are a problem that contributes to the low birth rates, alongside the demanding work cultures. The fact of the matter is that women are becoming more educated and are increasingly entering the workforce, meaning they have fewer children. The reality is that the quality of life is not what it should be, and the birth rate reflects that.
Historically speaking, there’s always been this pressure to marry and have kids. That’s changing now. But it’s driven primarily by the economic outlook and a shift in values. The high cost of raising children, the limited work-life balance, and, yes, a feeling of discontent are all factors.
Then there’s the question of the actual population numbers. Some sources think China has been exaggerating its population figures for years. However, even if that were the case, and they did have fewer people, China is still a vast country with a lot of people.
The reality is that shorter work hours could make a real difference. China’s current standard is a grueling 72-hour workweek, and that can’t be good for the people and their social lives. What you see is that people are too tired to date, let alone start a family.
Finally, China’s one-child policy had a huge impact. It’s left the country with significantly more men than women, which in itself is insane. The result of this complex mix of pressures? When the overall environment is poor, people have fewer children.