China’s demographic crisis is deepening. Thousands of famous kindergartens in China have been closed due to a sharp drop in birth rates. At the same time, the number of older adults is also growing at record levels. Therefore, nursing homes were opened instead of kindergartens. According to official reports, the number of kindergartens will decrease from 274,400 to 14,808 by 2023. This is the second consecutive year that China’s birth rate has declined.
The number of kindergartens is also decreasing
The number of children attending kindergarten also dropped for the third year in a row. Last year, that number dropped about 12%, from 40.9 million to 5.35 million.
Primary schools are also decreasing
The number of primary schools also decreased from 143,500 to 5,645, a decrease of 3.8%. The decline reflects broader demographic changes in China, where birth rates and total population continue to decline, posing a serious threat to future economic growth.
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China’s population is shrinking rapidly
Last year, China’s population dropped to 1.4 billion for the second consecutive year, a decrease of more than 2 million. In 2023, only 9 million children will be born in China, the lowest number since records began in 1949. China lost its status as the most populous country last year due to falling birth rates. India is now the most populous country in the world.
The number of elderly people is increasing
China is facing a double crisis. On the one hand, the birth rate and fertility rate are declining, and on the other hand, the elderly population is increasing rapidly. By the end of 2023, China’s population aged 60 and above will be close to 300 million. It is expected to exceed 400 million by 2035 and 500 million by 2050.
According to the Washington Post, many kindergartens have been converted into elderly care centers, and many employees have also switched jobs to care for the elderly.
