As the two sessions draw near, political advisors in China are considering additional measures to bolster support for women during the childbearing phase.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released data on January 17, revealing that China’s population decreased by 2.08 million people in 2023, totaling 1.40967 billion. The birth rate stood at 6.39 per thousand people, with 9.02 million babies born, while the death rate was 7.87 per thousand people, with 11.1 million deaths.
National political advisor He Dan, who is also the director of the China Population and Development Research Center, proposed the implementation of a newborn caring subsidy mechanism. This subsidy aims to incentivize family members to actively participate in child care, thereby alleviating the burden on parents. He emphasized that such measures not only reduce parenting pressure but also provide individuals with opportunities to acquire valuable work skills, laying the groundwork for their involvement in the parenting service industry.
In an article published in the CPPCC Daily, He highlighted the positive impact of establishing a subsidy mechanism for infant and toddler care, emphasizing its contribution to the full and efficient utilization of labor resources.
While acknowledging the warm reception of existing policies related to fertility, He pointed out that challenges remain. The full implementation of fertility support policies, the establishment of a comprehensive childcare service system, and addressing new demands for reproductive health services are areas that need attention. Challenges in rural areas, including children in difficult circumstances and left-behind children, also warrant consideration.
He stressed the importance of a proactive approach in adopting public financial policies to address low fertility levels in society. He advocated for the creation of a mechanism where families, employers, and government departments collectively share responsibilities for fertility through a combination of legal, institutional, and policy measures.
A key factor contributing to negative population growth is the declining intention of women of childbearing age to have children, as reported by the National Health Commission. Despite this trend, demographers highlight positive aspects in China’s demographic situation, citing a high fertility potential within marriage, as revealed by census data of 2020.
Looking ahead, there is optimism that the negative population growth trend in 2024 may be alleviated, driven by Chinese preferences for the auspicious Year of the Dragon and a potential rebound in births following the three-year impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Yuan Xin, deputy head of the China Population Association and a demographer from Nankai University in Tianjin.