Nowadays, the tide of social development is surging, and in this trend, two propositions have frequently become the core of public heated discussions - fertility and consumption. On the one hand, policies encourage families to have a second child to cope with the challenges brought about by the aging population, and on the other hand, stimulating consumption has become an important means of stimulating economic growth.
However, when these two topics are discussed side by side, a sharp question comes to the fore: how can ordinary people afford the high cost of raising children without raising incomes, and how can they have the money to spend?
First, let's look at the cost of having a baby. Children, once seen as the hope and future of the family, are now a heavy burden on the economic books. From the moment a child falls to the ground, parents must start to pay for their education, health, life and other expenses.
In China, for example, a survey showed that the average cost of raising a child from birth to adulthood at age 22 is as high as 486,000 yuan. This figure is only the basic cost, and if you take into account the need for higher levels of education, interest classes, study abroad and other additional expenses, this figure will explode dramatically.
And education spending, especially in a country like China, which values education, is undoubtedly a lion's mouth in the financial burden of families. From kindergarten to high school to possible study abroad, every step can drain a family's savings.
In Beijing, for example, the cost of preschool education for a child is about 30,000 yuan per year, and this does not include the cost of extracurricular tutoring and interest classes. When children enter primary school, secondary school, and even college, the cost will only increase year by year.
In addition to the cost of education, the daily living expenses of children should not be underestimated. Everything from food, clothing, shelter and transportation to health care requires families to make careful budgets. According to statistics, a middle-income family spends about 1,000 yuan per month on their children's food, and this does not include other necessities. Not to mention, once a child gets sick, medical bills will be a huge financial strain.
In the face of such a financial burden, let's take a look at the income of ordinary families. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the per capita disposable income of urban residents in China in 2020 was 43,834 yuan. However, behind this number lies a huge income gap. The real income of most households is well below average, especially in third- and fourth-tier cities and rural areas, and disposable income is even more meager. With such an income level, it is obviously difficult to support a child, not to mention the cost of raising a second child.
So, what about the spending power of households with limited incomes? In the face of the rising cost of living, many families have had to tighten their spending and cut back on consumption. From clothes to entertainment, from travel to appliances, every expense needs to be weighed repeatedly. When the family budget is occupied by children's education and living expenses, other consumption is naturally squeezed.
In such an economic environment, there is a growing call to stimulate consumption. Consumption is seen as an important engine of economic growth, and the government tries to stimulate the market through various policies and subsidies. Merchants are also launching promotions to attract customers with discounts. However, for the average family, without sufficient disposable income, any consumption seems to be insufficient.
So, where is the way out to resolve this contradiction? Obviously, the key is to increase incomes and ease the economic pressure on households. This requires not only more support in terms of taxation and social security, but also measures to increase household income through measures such as creating more jobs and raising wages. At the same time, society should establish a more equitable distribution mechanism for educational resources to reduce the pressure on family education investment.
Generally speaking, behind the two major social issues of childbirth and consumption is a deep reflection on the economic situation of the family. Only when ordinary families have enough economic strength to bear the cost of childbirth and have spare energy to enjoy the joy of life can they truly realize the benign interaction between fertility policy and consumption policy and promote the harmonious development of society.