China’s population decreased for a second consecutive season in 2023 as COVID-19, a record-breaking low birth rate and higher deaths, accelerated a decline that officials fear will have serious long-term effects on the market’s growth possible.
According to the most recent data available from China’s National Health Commission, the number of maternity hospitals decreased from 807 in 2020 to 793 in 2021.
According to local media outlets like Daily Economic News, the declining number of newborns prevented many hospitals from continuing to operate their obstetrics departments.
” ‘ The obstetric winter ‘ seems to be coming quietly”, the newspaper reported on Friday ( Mar 15 ).
In a traditional society where they are still viewed as the main caregivers and where gender discrimination persists, many women in China are choosing to stay childless due to high childcare costs, a lack of desire to marry, or to put their careers on hold.
Authorities have attempted to implement measures and incentives to increase the birth rate, including expanding maternity leave, receiving financial and tax benefits for having children, and receiving housing subsidies.
A prominent Chinese think tank detailed the time and opportunity costs for women who give birth in China, but it is one of the world’s most expensive countries to raise a child in relation to its gross domestic product per capita in February.
According to financial news outlet Yicai, the Chinese year of the dragon, which began on February 10 and has a special Chinese zodiac sign, is causing more babies to be born in Chinese hospitals. However, demographers claim that any bump from a “dragon baby” boom is likely to be temporary.