2023-05-15 (Hong Kong) – The Chinese government is set to launch pilot projects in more than 20 cities aimed at promoting a “new-era” marriage and childbearing culture. The initiative is the latest attempt by the authorities to address the country’s declining birth rate. China’s Family Planning Association, a national body responsible for implementing the government’s population and fertility measures, will be launching the projects to encourage women to marry and have children. The projects will focus on promoting marrying and having children at appropriate ages, encouraging parents to share child-rearing responsibilities, and curbing outdated customs such as high “bride prices”. The state-backed Global Times has reported that cities included in the pilot include the manufacturing hub Guangzhou and Handan in China’s Hebei province. Last year, the association launched similar projects in 20 cities, including Beijing.
Demographer He Yafu told the Times that “the society needs to guide young people more on the concept of marriage and childbirth”. The projects come as Chinese provinces roll out a series of measures aimed at encouraging people to have children. These measures include tax incentives, housing subsidies, and free or subsidised education for having a third child. The country implemented a one-child policy from 1980 until 2015 which has been blamed for many of its demographic challenges. The limit has since been raised to three children.
China has been concerned about its first population drop in six decades and its rapid ageing. In March, the government’s political advisers proposed that single and unmarried women should have access to egg freezing and IVF treatment, among other services to boost the country’s fertility rate. The high cost of childcare and having to stop their careers have put many women off having more children or any at all, with gender discrimination still a key hurdle to overcome.