Beijing/New Delhi, Jan 6 (NationPress) Despite a decade passing since the termination of the rigorous, state-mandated birth control policy that altered its demographic landscape, China is finding it challenging to enhance its population levels, as reported by various media outlets.

The one-child policy, which was officially implemented in 1980, aimed to control China’s excessive population growth. Faced with severe demographic issues, this infamous policy was abolished in 2016.

However, even with this pivotal adjustment and multiple initiatives aimed at motivating couples to have more children, the nation has not seen an improvement in birth rates, according to a report cited by CNN.

From 2022 to 2024, China's population has decreased. United Nations estimates indicate that individuals aged over 60 now represent more than 20% of the total population of 1.4 billion; this demographic could potentially constitute an astonishing half of the populace by 2100.

President Xi Jinping has highlighted the significance of “population security” and has prioritized the “development of a high-quality population” on the national agenda.

Nonetheless, both analysts and citizens are advocating for further policies or incentives to bolster birth rates and marriages, particularly addressing critical concerns such as elevated youth unemployment and the steep costs associated with raising children.

“To encourage more families to have children now, we must invest the same, if not greater, effort and commitment to make it a reality,” stated 30-year-old Welkin Lei from Beijing.

The one-child policy has also resulted in a gender imbalance and a generation without siblings, who are now solely accountable for the care of aging parents in a country where the social safety net is often inadequate, according to the report.

In response, the nation has introduced a pro-natalist strategy, promoting marriage and childbirth — specifically among heterosexual couples — as vital for the country's future, including imposing a value-added tax on condoms and other contraceptives.

Additional incentives encompass tax reductions, financial aid for housing purchases and rentals, and monetary support for extended maternity leave.

“Thus far, the policies aimed at increasing birth rates have been largely superficial and have failed to tackle the underlying issues of high costs associated with child-rearing and a fragile social security system,” remarked Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations.

The economic repercussions of a dwindling workforce and consumer base, coupled with the impending expenses of caring for a rapidly growing elderly population, will be “significant.”