China, the world’s second-largest economy, has introduced a new plan aimed at increasing its declining population.
According to foreign media reports, China, which has been concerned about a continuous population decline, is taking new measures to encourage population growth. Under the plan, Chinese citizens will now be required to pay a 13 percent sales tax on contraceptives and related products, while childcare services have been exempted from this tax.
Media reports indicate that following the implementation of this plan, the long-standing restriction on having only one child, which has been enforced since 1994, has effectively come to an end.
The reports further add that services related to marriage and elderly care have also been exempted from value-added tax (VAT). These measures are part of a broader strategy that includes extending parental leave and providing direct cash support to families.
Additionally, the Beijing government is making concerted efforts to encourage young Chinese people to get married and motivate couples to have children.
According to official data cited in media reports, China’s population has declined for three consecutive years. In 2024, only 9.54 million births were recorded, which is nearly half of the birth rate recorded a decade ago.
