In a significant effort to foster a birth-friendly society, the Chinese government has introduced a series of incentives to encourage single people to date, marry, and have children. Starting January 1, 2025, couples registering their first marriage, where the woman is aged 35 or younger, will receive a cash reward of 1,500 yuan ($214). Families having their first, second, or third child will be eligible for subsidies of 2,000 yuan ($285), 5,000 yuan ($714), and 8,000 yuan ($1,142), respectively, provided they meet policy guidelines. Universities have been asked to introduce so-called love courses for single students, and regular articles appear in state media about the benefits of having children.
The initiative, announced by the Lüliang City Civil Affairs Bureau, is part of a comprehensive program to support marriage, childbirth, and education. Authorities are also focusing on improving maternal and child healthcare. This includes standardizing practices in health institutions, training village doctors, upgrading pediatric services in general hospitals, and enhancing the expertise of obstetricians and pediatricians.
China is grappling with an unprecedented demographic challenge as its population declines for the first time in 60 years, with fertility rates at historic lows. In 2022, marriage registrations dropped to 6.83 million, the lowest since 1986. These trends are compounded by economic uncertainty and shifting societal values, as many young people move away from traditional life paths due to a slowing economy, rising unemployment, and mounting financial pressures.
In response, governments across China are intensifying efforts to promote marriage and childbirth. Local officials are cold-calling married women to inquire about their plans for children, universities are introducing “love courses” to encourage dating among students, and state media frequently publishes articles extolling the benefits of family life and parenthood to influence public attitudes.
Experts caution that these efforts face significant obstacles. Ren Zeping, a prominent economist, has described the crisis as a convergence of three trends: an ageing population, low birth rates, and declining marriage rates. With fewer young people and a rapidly ageing society, the implications for China’s economy and labor force are severe. India officially surpassed China as the world’s most populous nation last year, underscoring the urgency of the issue.
Economic pessimism further exacerbates the problem. Policymakers are grappling with a prolonged property downturn, weak exports, and stagnant consumer confidence, all of which deter family planning. “Having a child is a lifelong responsibility,” noted one expert. “Economic uncertainty is a strong counterforce to improving the birth rate.”
Despite the relaxation of the one-child policy in 2016, birth rates have fallen every year since, and financial incentives for parents have largely failed to reverse the trend. Cultural shifts, including a greater focus on career ambitions and personal freedom among women, pose additional challenges. “Chinese women’s desire to have children is low,” said Lü Pin, a Chinese feminist writer. “There is no sign this will change, even with increased subsidies and growing concerns about the demographic crisis.”
As Lüliang implements its incentives, many hope the measures will serve as a blueprint for addressing the broader challenges of declining birth rates and a shrinking population. Whether these efforts will be enough to reverse the trends remains uncertain, but they highlight an increasing awareness of the urgency of China’s demographic predicament.
