China has been the world’s most populated country in the world for decades. However, things now seem to be taking a turn. For the first time in decades, China’s population has declined, by 850,000 people according to official numbers and according to unofficial numbers by experts, the count is much higher.
It is estimated that by 2100, China’s population will be lower than it was even in the 1960s. Many fear that this demographic shift will have massive consequences. Not only for China, but for the entire world.
For the first time in 60 years, China’s population is shrinking. Despite China’s various efforts, Chinese couples are unconvinced. They are refusing to have more than 1 child, even after China dropped its 1 child policy years ago.
The main reason people in China are refusing to have more than 1 child is because of the excessive economic and family pressure. Most of the Chinese couples are from the 80s, who are used to 1 child policy.
In 1950’s the population of China was exploding, but soon it let to poverty and food shortages in the many parts of China. In 1979, Chinese government introduced strict 1 child policy, with families violating it facing heavy fine and even imprisonment.
However, in 2016 the rules were relaxed to permit parents to have 2 children. These rules were relaxed over the worries in the decline of the working population which can later be disastrous for China’s economy. Later, rules were more relaxed, allowing parents to have 3 children. But the decades of 1 child policy rule, led Chinese couples to stay firm on their decisions. Many Chinese couples are refusing to have more than 1 child.
Recently India overtook China by becoming most populated country in the world. From now on, China’s population is expected to see a continuous fall till 2100.
For China, it’s extremely bad news. The population fall in China will result in the decline of its working population. Thus, affecting its economy greatly. However, for the United States and her allies it’s good news. China’s population decline will slow down its economic growth. Thus, crushing its dream to become a global superpower.
China’s declining population will reduce the labour force, stagnate research, produce fewer ideas and lower living standards in the future. Ultimately, this could lead to a doomsday ‘empty planet’ scenario where the entire population vanishes.
China’s government is trying to encourage couples to have more babies by relaxing is child policies, however, it’s just pushing couples away from having more babies.
