ABC News Daily
2024 picks: Why more babies won’t fix China
Dec 25, 2024
Stuart Gietel-Basten, a social science professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, dives into China's declining birth rates amidst economic challenges. He discusses the legacy of population control, transitioning from the one-child policy to attempts at reversing the trend with financial incentives. Gietel-Basten emphasizes the importance of addressing socio-economic factors rather than solely focusing on boosting numbers. He also explores solutions for an aging society and critiques the relentless pursuit of economic growth.
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Quick takeaways
- China's declining birth rate amidst economic challenges highlights the need for sustainable support systems rather than just financial incentives to boost fertility.
- The aging population crisis in China mirrors trends in other countries like Japan and South Korea, emphasizing the global nature of demographic issues.
Deep dives
China's Demographic Shift
China's falling birth rate has emerged as a significant concern for the government, especially as it struggles with an economic slowdown and an aging population. The transition from the one-child policy to allowing families to have three children reflects a dramatic shift in government stance, yet actual birth rates remain low. Despite policies promoting larger families, societal aspirations to have more children are diminishing, leaving the nation confronting a stagnant population and potential economic decline. The discussion highlights that a mere decline of a few million in a 1.4 billion population may seem small, but the psychological impact and the fear of long-term consequences loom large.
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