New Delhi, February 6: China, once known for its strict one-child policy, is now urging women to have more children, according to a media report. This shift comes as the country faces a significant decline in its population.
A report from Mekong News, based in Myanmar, highlights that for the past four decades, birth rates in China have been dictated not by women, but by government policies. Initially, the one-child policy was implemented in 1979 to curb population growth, but now there is increasing pressure on women to bear more children due to alarming demographic trends.
Recent official statistics reveal a stark reality: in 2025, there are projected to be 7.92 million births, a decrease of 1.62 million (approximately 17%) from 2024’s 9.54 million. The birth rate has plummeted to 5.63 per 1,000 individuals, marking a record low since modern census records began in 1949.
The report states, “Beijing still views childbirth not as a matter of personal freedom but as a tool for economic planning.” It suggests that the one-child policy has deprived many women of their desires, leading to forced abortions, sterilizations, and both physical and mental abuse.
Furthermore, the report notes that the government has coerced compliance rather than adopting democratic methods. It also addresses the societal preference for sons, which has skewed the gender ratio in the country.
In 2016, China abolished the one-child policy in favor of a two-child policy, which was later expanded to a three-child policy due to continued declines in birth rates. The report indicates that the apparent change in policy reveals a deeper issue: instead of promoting individual choice, the government is imposing its policies due to economic pressures.
While the government advocates for increased birth rates, many couples are hesitant to take risks due to rising costs, career responsibilities, and gender-based discrimination in the workplace. Notably, the number of women of childbearing age has also decreased due to the gender imbalance.
The report concludes, “Even though the government is now encouraging childbirth, women remain trapped within the confines of policy limitations.”