China is desperate to raise its birthrate

China's fertility rate has sunk to 1.18 children per woman and its population has begun to decline. Deaths outnumbered births for the first time in decades. The government of Xi Jinping has finally grasped that it is facing a slow-motion crisis. Unless more children a born, there will be fewer workers and more elderly. Economic stagnation or worse is on the horizon. Millions of Chinese face the prospect of getting old before they get rich. While experts say it would be nearly impossible for China's population to start growing again, the country could keep its birthrate steady. Read more.

Michael Cook, Editor, January 31, 2023