According to the latest data, China's fertility rate has fallen sharply, from about 6.0 in the past to about 1.05 after 2010, and even more to about 1.0 in 2023. This figure is well below the replacement rate, which is the level of 2 children per couple. At the same time, the fertility rates in the United States and Europe are around 1.7 and 1.6 respectively, a comparison that shows the severity of China's fertility decline.
First, if this trend continues, China's population will halve and there will be dramatic demographic changes, especially with an aging population and labor shortages. Some media believe that the high cost of housing, education and medical care is one of the main factors suppressing childbirth, especially under the "421" family structure, the heavy burden of old-age care has also brought more challenges to childbirth.
However, netizens have different opinions on this issue. Some believe that economic stress is the main cause of the decline in fertility rates, especially in areas such as employment, education and health care. This year's large number of college graduates is huge, but the job market is sluggish, which has discouraged many young people. In addition, the rising cost of education has also discouraged many families, who fear they will not be able to afford them.
It is also believed that high housing prices are also an important factor in the decline in fertility. However, what is the root cause of these problems? Why is it that under the condition of economic development, people's living burdens have become heavier? Some netizens believe that the unfair distribution of wages is the root cause of these problems. In the past, workers' wages were relatively reasonable, but now there is a huge imbalance, which makes many people unhappy.
Finally, modern young people are more focused on personal qualities and quality of life, and they want to pursue their dreams in a limited life, which is also a factor in the decline in fertility rates. In summary, declining fertility has become a major challenge facing China, and solving this problem requires the joint efforts of the government, society and individuals to create better development prospects for the future.