China’s economy: what’s its weak spot?
The Economist・9 minutes read
China is facing a declining birth rate and an aging population, with President Xi aiming to double the economy by the mid-2020s. The country's past one-child policy and current demographic shift pose economic challenges, leading to efforts to address the issue by allowing families to have more children and investing in automation and skilled labor.
Insights
- The declining birth rate in China, exacerbated by the one-child policy, has led to economic challenges such as a shrinking working-age population and strains on the pension system.
- President Xi's goal of doubling China's economy faces hurdles due to the slow response to the demographic issue, prompting the government to implement policies like allowing families to have three children and investing in automation to address the aging population's impact on the economy.
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Recent questions
Why is China facing a declining birth rate?
Due to the one-child policy and current generation's reluctance.
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Summary
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China's Declining Birth Rate and Economic Challenges
- China is facing a declining birth rate, with a nearly 20% drop last year, leading to an aging population.
- President Xi aims to double China's economy by the mid-2020s, but the ruling Communist Party is concerned about the slow response to the demographic issue.
- China's one-child policy from 1979 to 2016 significantly reduced the birth rate, impacting the current generation's reluctance to have larger families.
- The demographic shift in China has led to a more balanced population pyramid, posing economic challenges as the working-age population decreases.
- China's economic growth has slowed, and the shrinking working-age population may strain the economy due to rising wages and underfunded pension systems.
- China's efforts to address the demographic challenge include allowing families to have three children, improving maternity benefits, education costs, and nursing homes, while also investing in automation and higher-skilled labor force.
