The Chinese government has so far been remarkably lacklustre in its efforts to stabilise and raise birth rates. I became fully aware of the scale of the demographic problem around 2016, and for nearly a decade have been observing it unfold while hoping for decisive action from Beijing, the corporate sector, and other key stakeholders. That action has largely failed to materialise.
Only in the past twelve months have we seen sporadic and piecemeal policy measures, such as making it easier to register marriages. These initiatives, however, are wholly disproportionate to the severity and structural nature of the challenge.
A logical and necessary step would be the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Demography or Population, thereby institutionalising the issue and ensuring it receives the continuous, high-level attention it warrants.
Only in the past twelve months have we seen sporadic and piecemeal policy measures, such as making it easier to register marriages. These initiatives, however, are wholly disproportionate to the severity and structural nature of the challenge.
A logical and necessary step would be the establishment of a dedicated Ministry of Demography or Population, thereby institutionalising the issue and ensuring it receives the continuous, high-level attention it warrants.
