From Foreign Policy · James Palmer · · 1m 40s
Why Chinese Parents Don’t Want Two Kids
China’s low birth rate stems from high costs and social pressures on parenting.
In brief
China’s low birth rate stems from high costs and social pressures on parenting. Chinese parents avoid having two children due to career risks, medical costs, and postpartum care burdens. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
China’s Birth Rate Decline
China’s birth rate dropped sharply since 2017 despite government efforts to encourage larger families.
One-Child Policy Legacy
Even during the one-child policy era from 1979 to 2015, Chinese couples averaged nearly two children.
Two-Child Policy Fails
Loosening the policy to two children in 2015 and three in 2021 produced no increase in births.
Childcare Costs
China is the second-most expensive country to raise a child, with education costs soaring after age 12.
Maternity Leave Gaps
Many Chinese women cannot take full maternity leave due to weak enforcement and informal employment.
Career Risks for Women
Urban women face career replacement risks after childbirth due to gender discrimination in hiring practices.
Medical Bribery
Parents pay bribes at every stage of childbirth in Chinese public hospitals due to medical system graft.
High C-Section Rates
China’s cesarean section rate reached 44.5 percent in 2020, far above the WHO’s recommended 10 to 15 percent.
Postpartum Confinement
Many Chinese families follow 'sitting the month,' a 30-to-40-day postpartum confinement for mothers.
Grandparent Stress
Young couples living far from hometowns face stress from grandparents sleeping on sofas in one-bedroom apartments.
Surrogacy Challenges
Chinese parents seek surrogacy through gray markets due to hukou restrictions for babies born via surrogate.
Why Only One Child
Chinese parents avoid having two children due to career risks, medical costs, and postpartum care burdens.
The key point
Chinese parents avoid having two children due to career risks, medical costs, and postpartum care burdens.
