ALBAWABA In an effort to counteract a concerning decline in birth rates and promote traditional family values, Changshan county in China has introduced a unique incentive for newlywed couples. The county is offering a financial "reward" of 1,000 yuan (£109) to couples where the bride is 25 years old or younger.
This initiative comes as the nation grapples with a dwindling number of marriages and births, prompting concerns about the future population growth and economic stability.
The Changshan county government has framed this reward as a means to encourage "age-appropriate marriage and childbearing" for couples entering into their first marriages.
This policy is part of a larger strategy that includes various subsidies aimed at supporting families who choose to have children.
The subsidies encompass childcare, fertility treatments, and educational benefits, all designed to alleviate some of the financial burdens associated with raising a family.
China has witnessed a steep decline in marriage rates, with 2022 recording the lowest figure in decades – only 6.8 million marriages, a drop of 800,000 from the previous year.
This trend has directly contributed to a reduction in birth rates, further exacerbated by existing policies that make it challenging for single women to pursue motherhood.
The nation's fertility rate, which was already one of the world's lowest, plummeted to a record-setting 1.09 in 2022, according to estimates reported by state media.
Several factors contribute to this decline. Many women are dissuaded from having children due to high childcare costs and concerns about the potential negative impact on their careers.
Gender discrimination and deeply entrenched traditional notions of women's roles in child-rearing also persist in many parts of Chinese society.
