introduction
In today's China, family-size decision-making is no longer just a personal or cultural choice, but an economic calculation. With the increase in per capita income, the cost of living, especially the cost of education, has soared, which has become a serious problem for every couple. The cost of education has risen far faster than household incomes, making "having one more child" a luxury decision. Tuition, from kindergarten to tertiary education, can be a burden for the average family, with the associated costs of training and extracurricular activities.
Economic Development and the Cost of Childbirth – How Money Determines the Size of Our Families
This economic pressure is even more evident today in the face of rapid urbanization. High housing prices and the cost of living have become important factors for many young people to postpone or even give up childbearing. In first-tier cities, a suitable home for raising children is often expensive, and many young couples are already feeling the financial strain before they start a family, combined with long-term costs such as future education. The high cost of urban living has undoubtedly turned a second or third child that might have been considered into an unattainable dream.
This kind of economic decision-making not only changes the family structure, but also heralds profound changes in the social structure. When more and more families choose to have only one child or no children, the problem of population aging in the whole society will become more serious.
From one child to three children – policy changes and challenges
Since the implementation of China's one-child policy at the end of the 20th century, to the relaxation of the two-child and then three-child policies in recent years, China's fertility policy has undergone earth-shaking changes. As a means to control the rapid growth of the population, the one-child policy has achieved remarkable results in alleviating population pressure, but it has also brought about a series of social problems such as the imbalance of the sex ratio and the acceleration of population aging. Now, faced with a potential crisis in the labor market and a growing elderly population, officials have had to adjust their strategies to try to reverse this trend by easing birth restrictions.
The introduction of the two-child policy was originally carried out with high expectations, and many families did welcome a second child. This small upsurge in fertility did not last long, and the fertility rate soon showed a downward trend. Economic pressure is a big mountain in front of many families. As mentioned earlier, the high cost of education, housing, etc., makes raising children a heavy burden. The accelerated pace of modern life has also made young people more inclined to enjoy a free lifestyle rather than being bound by family responsibilities.
Entering the implementation stage of the three-child policy, the official has raised the encouragement of childbirth to an unprecedented height, but the social response has been surprisingly cold. This is not only because of economic factors, but also because of a lifestyle change. Years of one-child policy have made society accustomed to the small family model, and many young people even believe that one child is enough to cope with the emotional needs between parents and children, and more children may be distracted from the attention and resources of each child. Even if there are no policy restrictions, people's willingness to have children has not increased.
This series of policy adjustments and the actual social repercussions have revealed a profound problem: policy relaxation alone cannot effectively solve the problem of declining fertility. It is necessary to fundamentally alleviate people's economic pressure and improve the social security system such as education, medical care and pension in order to truly stimulate the willingness to have children.
Changing cultural attitudes – career or family?
In modern society, personal development and the pursuit of freedom have become important values for the younger generation, and this change has profoundly affected their attitudes towards marriage and childbearing. In the past, getting married and having children was seen as a necessary stage of life, but now more and more young people are choosing to prioritize career development, and many even prefer to be single or marry later. This trend is not only a reflection of individual choices, but also the result of the evolution of socio-cultural attitudes.
With the improvement of education level and economic independence, especially the status of women in the workplace, many young people have begun to re-examine the rationality and feasibility of the traditional family model. In terms of career and family, many people prefer to establish their career foundation first, and then consider marriage and parenting. This phenomenon is especially evident in large cities, where the high cost of living and competitive work environment make many young people feel that it is unwise to enter into marriage or have children without adequate financial and psychological preparation.
Social acceptance of unmarried and late marriages is also changing. In the past, late marriage or even unmarried marriage was often questioned and criticized by those around you, but now it has gradually become an acceptable and even normal way of life. This culture is more tolerant and reflects society's respect and understanding of individual choices. The impact of this cultural shift on fertility is far-reaching. As more people choose to marry later or not at all, the fertility rate will naturally show a downward trend, which is a big challenge for societies that are already facing the problem of population aging.
Future Prospects: How to Adapt to a Society with Persistently Low Fertility?
As fertility continues to decline, China's demographics are expected to undergo significant changes that will have far-reaching implications for economic and social policy. The proportion of young and middle-aged people is expected to decline in the coming decades, while the proportion of the elderly population will increase significantly. This "ageing population" will put pressure on the labor market, the pension system, and health care needs. In response to this change, officials and businesses have had to think about and implement a series of new strategies to adapt to the needs of the workforce and society of the future.
Possible strategies at the official level include reforming the pension and health systems to ensure their sustainability. In response to the decline in the number of workers, officials are likely to push for reforms in the education system, such as increasing investment in skills training and lifelong learning to make the workforce more flexible and adaptable. Companies also need to adapt their strategies, such as by increasing workplace flexibility and inclusion to attract and retain a wider workforce, including older people and women.
epilogue
At the technological level, the rise of artificial intelligence and automation offers a possible solution to the labor shortage. Automation can replace some highly repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, thereby reducing the dependence on manpower. This has also brought about a shift in the nature of work, requiring a workforce with higher technical skills. This technological change may also further impact families' reproductive decisions: as work and lifestyle changes, more and more families are likely to reassess the necessity and timing of childbearing.