China Seeks a Baby Boom With a Raft of Family-Friendly Measures

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Medical staff at Xinle Hospital in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, inform expectant mothers about breast feeding on Aug. 5, 2024.

China on Monday announced new policy measures to boost fertility, support child-rearing and promote a child-friendly society as it grapples with a declining birth rate and an aging population.

In 2023, only 9.02 million babies were born nationwide, the lowest number since 1949, marking two consecutive years of negative population growth. Meanwhile, more than 20% of the population is now over 60 years old, making China a moderately aging society.

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China announced new policy measures to counteract a declining birth rate and aging population, with a focus on fertility, child-rearing, education, housing, and employment.
The measures include improving maternity leave, enhancing tax relief, expanding healthcare access, and increasing support for affordable childcare services.
Plans to adapt social norms, promote simpler ceremonies for marriages, and optimize educational and housing resources to create a more family-friendly society are also part of the initiative.

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