Urban Pressures and Declining Birth Rates: China's Demographic Dilemma

Mary Meng, overstressed working in Shanghai, reflects a broader issue of declining birth rates in urban China under high-pressure work environments. Experts argue Beijing's urbanization plans could exacerbate this trend, advocating for improved rural living standards and support for a sustainable population growth.

Mary Meng toils tirelessly at a Chinese tech company in Shanghai, feeling the relentless pressure so intensely she dismisses the idea of having a second child.

'The work pressure is such that you don't even have any time to spend with your child,' she said, voicing a sentiment echoed by many urban parents. The challenging urban life is highlighted by the concurrent population decline and aging crisis that China faces, prompting an urgent need for revised policies, demographers stress.

China is on the brink of a demographic collapse with the reproductive-age women plummeting by two-thirds by the century's end. At a recent high-level political meeting, China committed to creating a 'birth-friendly society,' focusing on childcare and education cost reductions. However, to the frustration of experts, Beijing also endorses increased urbanization, a strategy that could hinder birth rates further due to high housing costs and infertility spikes caused by urban stress and pollution. Authorities' current direction risks exacerbating China's fertility dilemma, compelling experts to advocate for rural living improvements instead.

(With inputs from agencies.)