In a startling revelation, the Chinese government disclosed that last year, deaths surpassed births for the first time since the disastrous Great Leap Forward in the 1960s. With 9.56 million births and 10.41 million deaths, the ominous imbalance signals a deepening demographic crisis.
China’s birth rate has collapsed completely, marking a stark contrast from the 19.7 million births registered in 2012 to a mere 7.8 million births in 2023. This alarming decline accentuates the severity of the situation.
The current population, standing at approximately 1.4 billion, is predicted to plummet to around half a billion by 2100, portraying a grim future for the nation. By 2040, China anticipates a staggering 400 million citizens aged 60 and above, surpassing the entire population of the United States.
Faced with the government’s push for increased childbirth, Chinese women are resisting, citing financial constraints and career commitments. As the nation grapples with this impending crisis, concerns rise over the socioeconomic repercussions and the strain on resources needed to support an increasingly elderly population. The unfolding demographic shift poses a complex challenge that demands urgent attention and strategic solutions to avert an impending catastrophe.
Sources:
www.nytimes.com/2023/01/16/business/china-birth-rate.html
www.businessinsider.com/china-women-defying-government-pressure-to-rear-more-children-xi-2024-1