China is ramping up efforts to tackle its growing demographic crisis by urging single people to date, marry, and have children. As the country faces an increasingly dire population outlook, local governments are taking unconventional measures to encourage procreation, including direct outreach to married women, financial incentives, and even introducing “love courses” in universities.
According to Financial Times, local officials across China have been cold-calling married women, particularly those in their 20s and early 30s, to inquire about their family plans. In some regions, women are being offered subsidies for having more than one child, with some receiving as much as Rmb100,000 (about $14,000) for a second child. While these subsidies vary depending on local government budgets, they are part of a broader push to encourage population growth. The national goal is to reverse China’s current demographic trends, where deaths now outnumber births, placing immense pressure on local governments to address the crisis.
Prominent economist Ren Zeping recently highlighted the severity of the situation, noting the “three major trends” facing China’s population: an aging population, low birth rates, and declining marriage rates. “There are fewer children and more elderly people. The speed and scale of China’s aging is unprecedented,” Ren told domestic media. Experts warn that these trends could have long-term negative effects on the country’s economic and social stability.
The central government has also pledged to reduce the financial burden on parents by offering subsidies and tax cuts to make raising children more affordable. In October, the State Council announced plans to build a “birth-friendly society,” though details of this initiative are still being worked out. A major component of this push is a media campaign aimed at portraying childbirth as beneficial to both the mother’s health and society. Publications like People’s Daily and Life Times have highlighted scientific studies suggesting that childbirth can reduce the risk of cancer and even improve overall health.
In a more targeted approach, the government has instructed universities to implement “marriage and love education courses” to encourage students to form relationships and start families. A state-run publication from the National Health Commission in December proposed that these courses teach “systematic knowledge of love and marriage” and include case studies and theories to help students navigate romantic relationships. Surveys show that many students are not interested in dating due to the heavy academic workload, with 57% of respondents saying they prefer to focus on studies rather than relationships.
However, experts are skeptical that these efforts will lead to a significant increase in birth rates. According to Wang Feng, a demographic expert at the University of California, Irvine, the current approach is reminiscent of China’s past use of administrative measures during the one-child policy, which lasted from 1980 to 2015. While the one-child policy successfully limited births, Wang argues that it is much more difficult for the government to reverse these trends, especially when the underlying factors—such as high living costs and career pressures—are different.
Shen Yang, a feminist writer, suggests that the government’s focus on propaganda and financial incentives may not be enough to convince young people to have children. “If the government wants to bolster the birth rate, it should create a more friendly environment for parents, especially single mothers,” she said. Despite the official push for higher birth rates, there is no indication that Beijing has curtailed access to birth control or abortion services, although some doctors may refuse to perform procedures due to legal concerns.
In the face of economic challenges, such as rising unemployment and sluggish economic growth, experts caution that convincing young, educated Chinese women and men to have children will be an uphill battle. For many, the high cost of living, coupled with the career setbacks that often accompany motherhood, may prove to be insurmountable barriers.
