China promotes new culture around marriage to encourage childbirth

China's population fell for the second consecutive year in 2023, dropping by over two million to 1.4 billion. Births reached a record low of nine million, the lowest since 1949. In response, China's state council is implementing measures to promote a "childbirth-friendly society." These include improving childbirth and childcare services, and creating a new culture around marriage and childbearing. Additionally, the number of kindergartens in China decreased by 14,808 in 2023, highlighting the impact of declining birth rates. The country faces a growing elderly population, with nearly 300 million people aged 60 and above by the end of 2023.