China’s Shrinking Population: Can Single Mothers By Choice Help Reverse Trend? | CNA Correspondent

In 2022, China’s population declined for the first time in six decades. China’s working-age population has also been shrinking since 2012, with the number of people aged 16 to 59 predicted to be 830 million in 2030, according to official estimates. This number is set to fall to 700 million by 2050. The economic consequences of the demographic shifts could be far-reaching.
But beyond a growing pension crisis and labour shortage, China’s changing demographic structure is also impacting its social fabric. From single mothers by choice to the ‘three-no’ generation, why are young Chinese choosing a different path from the generations before them?
00:00 Introduction
00:27 China's growing elderly population with little money to get by
06:30 China's 'three-no' generation moving to the countryside
11:18 Countryside live streamers earning more from Chinese TikTok
15:13 Single mothers by choice and falling birthrates
18:43 Government attempts to reverse years of population control policies
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About CNA Correspondent: Highlights of news stories and features by CNA's network of Correspondents based in major cities across the region.
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[@jonnieinbangkok]

The stories of a few very high income single women conceiving and raising children on their own is hardly applicable to women as a whole; and will do nothing to increase China's fertility rate or population. To start, the average single woman would have to raise two children just to keep China's population from falling, and three to increase the population. Neither a likely prospect for the average single woman.

[@bmno.4565]

There are multiple factors. 1. One child policy causing a unsustainable 4-2-1 family configuration. 2. Chauvinistic culture favoring boys and even aborting their girls, causing many men to not be able to find mates. 3. Women choosing to work more in a country that's getting more developed and expensive

[@hilaryb8807]

The issue is the shortage of men that would make good partners and fathers! Why should single women be asked to make all the sacrifices and raise future generations alone? Fix your men first.

[@conghoan1998]

Women should not be forced to live with bad men just because they can be fathers.

[@babyboijeremy]

Women can do as they please. If they feel they are too good for any men. Let the population collapse, let society fail.

[@noazucar519]

Most men (not all) have the potential to be good fathers. But in today’s world of instant gratification, endless entertainment, and decreased social mobility, who’d want to risk their current lifestyle to build a family?

[@mandasantoso]

I think the main problem is just how expensive having a children is nowadays...

[@seahbyefongseah7453]

Totally agreed

[@mmsutantowrites]

Hmmm, why would anyone want to have and raise kids alone? Raising children with a spouse is a challenge enough, let alone as a single parent!

[@momofighter3211]

What happened to the dads?

[@annwan3820]

As far as I see, many Chinese men seeks to take advantage of marriage instead of taking responsibilities. And the Chinese marriage law may deplete you with anything from money to kids if you get divorced. Being a single mom actually protects your rights. Very different context to see the problems.

[@Xanaduum]

One might consider having a child as a single mother in order to receive benefit handouts a similar avoidence of responsibilities, which happens a lot in the UK and US, if you can't afford rent for a house then having a child will put you on a waiting list for one. I don't see how marriage for men is avoiding responsibility, for a man it is taking on more responsibility, with far more freedom from responsibility as a single man.

[@9400lilly]

There are very strong individuals out there. Sometimes, a spouse becomes another child to take care of, so it depends on the situation.

[@Xanaduum]

@@9400lilly in my expedite that goes for men and women, but only one of them is considered by most of the media to be lazy in marriages. Not sure it that's the same in China.

[@jjsamuelgunn1136]

so busy talking about china, why not discuss singapore's own falling birth rate.

[@bmno.4565]

Singapore can learn lessons from China's experience.

[@d0k0night]

Maybe the onus on solving the impending population crisis shouldn't JUST on the shoulders of single women? Maybe it should be rethought how a support structure should look like?

[@huntress1013]

Not sure if you noticed ....it is a worldwide thing and no I am not interested in having kids at all especially not on my own...this is actually a problem. Too many single parents

[@conghoan1998]

Single parents represent a world where people can feel happy making their choices, firstly by leaving their badly behaved, irresponsible and unneccessary partners.

[@seahbyefongseah7453]

This is not only happen in China alone, many countries also facing the same issues.

[@androidphone6972]

These stories are so inspiring, every video on this channel seems to have 1 or 2 unique perspectives that can be uplifting to one’s own life.

[@freemagicfun]

Speaking on the 'looming' retirement crisis... looks China is just like the US in that regard, always have money for the military, but not the people.

[@chengmunwai]

Regardless of whether or not it works in China, it will never ever work in Singapore.

[@fool1124]

Why?

[@HKim0072]

Singapore has the ability to import cheap(er) labor. China would need to import an entire country.

[@cnachopchopnewsagency]

Indeed true.

[@AlfarrisiMuammar]

​​@@HKim0072Singapura is Malay land. So they Indonesian and Malaysia is not imigran

[@nextlastChang]

It's indisputable that the Chinese population aged the fastest in the world.

[@jer2911.L]

You showing your ignorance. Japan is the fastest followed by India.

[@EFletc8985]

Here’s an idea…Instead of encouraging women to have half a family and increase their burden, why don’t we make it easier to start a complete family that nurtures everyone. A nuclear family has worked for thousands of years. Humans are not just breeding factories.

[@conghoan1998]

Women should not be forced to live with bad men just because they can be fathers.

[@EFletc8985]

If he is a bad man, then the women should have better judgment then to have a child with him…. Here are some things to think about with single mothers… Emotional problems Single mothers may experience depression, suicidal ideation, and residential instability. They may also have a sense of loneliness and depression because they can't share their experiences with someone. Family change and social stress. Divorce and separation can negatively affect a child's emotional well-being. Financial troubles Single mothers may have difficulty managing financial emergencies, which can lead to bankruptcy. Children's psychiatric illnesses Children of single parents may be more likely to experience psychiatric illnesses, alcohol abuse, and suicide attempts. Loss Children may experience a sense of loss, poverty, and continuous exposure to parental arguments.

[@forstuffjust7735]

@@conghoan1998 Way to totally strawman an argument.

[@inezamy9523]

I haven't seen anything about single parents in this video so far

[@user-tw3kr9if1f]

Now your remedy for one issue, Will only create another issue, As can be seen throughout the WEST the Adverse effects of. single parentage, on society.

[@leponpon6935]

Not just China. In Malaysia where I grew up in, this problem is also getting qorse and worse despite not having any one-child policy to begin with. Our economics and modern poverty was the deciding factor. This, is an observation. I must reiterate again, this is only an observation. No complaints were made. Simply facts. The same is true for Japan(even worse) and many other countries.

[@s._3560]

except those countries who export their overpopulation problems.

[@leponpon6935]

@@s._3560 yes, except. You are not wrong. It's not just countries though, some are regions within countries or stateless entities such as the illegal immigrants in East Malaysia who either entered or were abandoned there as early as childhood.

[@pearlyung]

Many people don't even like kids. Dont breed if don't like babies.

[@malakatan3235]

Korea & Japan even worse😅

[@leponpon6935]

@@malakatan3235 precisely

[@AdelTheForsaken]

As a child that came from a broken home. No. This won't solve anything.

[@freemagicfun]

My whole I have heard about overpopulation, now birth rates are declining and governments still complain. Constant growth is not sustainable (in business or population). The world would be better off with a few billion less people.

[@ArabicReja973]

Chinese 🇨🇳 property sector, which accounts for 30% of GDP, is crashing. - Exports and imports, accounting for 37% GDP, are down. - Foreign investment (FDI) is falling over 90%, lowest in 3 decades. - Foreign visitors are down 96% compared to the pre-pandemic level in 2019. - Consumer prices are experiencing deflation. - Youth unemployment hits over 21%, a record. *- Its fast-shrinking workforce is 10 years older than neighboring countries.* *Still, China keeps reporting outrageous GDP numbers.* Lol Where does the growth come from?

[@lennyhardi3760]

😂😂

[@sunyata4974]

China is bankrupt, and its people are hungry and revolting. 960 million people are earning less than $280 per month. The food is toxic. Who can afford a child?

[@tonyy1753]

I don't know where you get your numbers from but last time I checked the foreigners are going back to China in numbers this year. And yes property in China was a major growth engine previously, but now the renewable energy industry such as EV are now counting more than half of their economic growth

[@tonyy1753]

I think u need to distinguish the American propoganda from the truth sometime. And the best way to do so IMO is visiting there and seeing what is really happening in the country rather than believing what the yanks want u to believe

[@jarrodyuki7081]

Never marry or have only live until 80 and have a good life of my own!

[@jonnieinbangkok]

The "China Century" sure ended quick...barely two decades 😂 😂 😂

[@ScrewyDriverTheMan]

They still have a billion people

[@jonnieinbangkok]

@@ScrewyDriverTheMan A billion poor old people...not exactly the makings of empire.

[@ScrewyDriverTheMan]

@@jonnieinbangkok There's only 350 million in the US. HALF of that are KIDS. Don't believe their lies

[@ScrewyDriverTheMan]

There's 350 million people in the US. HALF of that are KIDS. What's the difference? Look at how many there are in INDIA. What's the problem? How many Europeans do you have in Thailand that shouldn't be there?

[@ScrewyDriverTheMan]

China has 1.412 billion people. Only about 1 ¼ of that are the old people. Do the maths. You're being lied to

[@beeworkin1461]

Good fathers, that is what they need

[@ScottPerkinsLCMT]

This story is in error. It said his monthly pension was 250 USD. That is completely impossible it is more like 25 USD per month which is the average in china for rurual people.

[@leponpon6935]

This could very well be a case of too little too late🙏

[@Xanaduum]

I think China needs to decide whether it wants a large population or not.

[@noazucar519]

The parents of the single woman supported her decision. Their reasoning was likely: Better to have grandchildren now than no grandchildren. And it’s totally normal in China for grandparents to raise the grandchildren while their parents go to work, unlike in the West.

[@jin_asap]

China installed 300k industrial robots last year, more than all other countries combined. That's one way to increase productivity.

[@bevs9995]

yeah, why is the media continuing to gaslight us and pretend there will be jobs? We know better.... we know the birthrate need to remain half of what it was.

[@themyself1212]

Even if population drops china has used its population to develop china so don't worry about china

[@chapman1569]

Youths revitalizing to their village is an uplifting story. I am surprised by the resilience of the old chinese people. . Sure they live in abject poverty, but the ones we saw seem to own their property and they can grow food and live in nature. It is a subsistance lifestyle but in the long term it is more sustainable.

[@ray-kp3dn]

Uhh nope.

[@MrStarsuicide]

China does not have a concept of discrimination

[@leehyunsong7001]

8:40 the sign board written handmade coffee ¥98 yuan. Seriously? People traveling to rural village and willing to pay for a coffee cost 5 times more in the city?

[@kakumei3092]

It looks like ¥48 but written unclearly.

[@conghoan1998]

It's actually 98 CNY for a hand poured coffee pot. It's just crazy for a non-quintestial coffee!

[@Aeonshield]

The businesses were "privately" owned huh? lol

[@ExxtraSpicyBoi]

Catherine gan is the best example of the declining population

[@freeman4899]

Forget about China , please fix your own first. Start from home and set an example .

[@MK_ULTRA420]

Sure, right after China ends their disgusting wet markets that infect the world.

[@HKim0072]

Singapore is a wealthy city-state. Importing people / labor isn't very difficult for a population of 5.7M people. They could easily setup a subsidized college program to attract younger people. Expand their visa program. Lots of reasonable solutions. It's already diverse with multiple cultures integrated and people speak multiple languages.

[@MK_ULTRA420]

Then China should stop exporting fake and tainted food and harassing foreign fishing boats if they want to be left alone.

[@s._3560]

For one, promote family values, enjoyment and fulfillment of family life. Strong families make strong nation. Stop looking at the population only as future tax payers and workers. Curb the massage shops in the neighbourhoods. If plenty of cheap paid sex anytime why would men want to marry, start a family or shoulder responsibilities?

[@WorldSpaceRace]

Over population is not a good thing

[@hongjianming-le6ir]

I still admire their economy Condition that these poor elderly still have a home to stay and small yard to plant. With 250usd pension... It's enough for daily needs in country side. CNAs effort to portray negative as ordered by their Westerners boss looks like unsuccessful. Go to china countryside.... 250usd monthly is more than enough... These elderly don't need iphone, onlyfans subscription, Tesla.... Bla bla bla.

[@LeeLightValenti]

It's crazy how they always chose a white guy's seed

[@theobserver7826]

So there are too many old people...

[@henryravu1859]

Rural area is so beautiful and everything is fresh. I'm glad the Chinese government encouraging the young people to go back to the rural areas and revive it.

[@user-se9od8ux2p]

What a misogynistic title! Would you ever put out a title like the following: China's Shrinking Population: Can men help out with the kids and house duties and reverse the "I'll just wait on my wife to do everything for me and the kids trend." Let's get a correspondent for that!

[@Dsaes]

She has just one kid and speak as she has 4 or five for God Sake !! Insanity has no limits

[@waynenathan2608]

this will happen to any country when the population reaches a higher income than it was, with a lot of priorities, choices, and high demand for the top fruit. EU and the US can tackle this by immigration policies while Asian countries like Japan, China, and Korea are struggling to find new solutions.

[@Dsaes]

They will welcome immigration for sure if they needed it !

[@jarrodyuki7081]

Birthrate is an s-o++ topic!!!!!!!

[@hihihihihi6351]

Sg got too many ppl who thinks that their values are so high up and mighty. I still remember the case where the auntie scolded till the cosplay girl cried in Suntec. Not their issue but still want to meddle with stuffs.

[@pikachuthunderbolt3919]

Go to basics then A women bearing child and taking care till it become independent and men should help in that period and then female shoud become free after that.

[@rohj4825]

We need protection of all humans life from moment of conception.

[@MK_ULTRA420]

Not for China, they don't deserve it.

[@kuilaychua6265]

Why this single lady wanted a child from an unknown man? Asking for trouble only. What will happen to this child if something happen to her? What will happen to this child later in life knowing he wouldnt know who is his father😢

[@sijietan378]

Even considering single mum to fix low birthrate is so wrong. If taking care of children is expensive for couple, do they think is better for single mom? The push should make us similar to the past where grand parent give birth to many children. Harsh measure to force up birthrate to avoid country collapse due to low birthrate. Restrict contraceptive only to married couple with 2 children, mandatory DNA for every children, ban abortion unless special case such as children with health issue or SA cases. Give better bonus to marriage and childbirth, penalties to divorce. Harsh penalties to cheating spouse. Allow euthanasia for individual with very old age and terminal illness or disability, they can choose to be recorded in the system for other to honor they gave up their life, the resources saved can be provided to better the future of the country. Oh and ban LGBTQIA+(or any more alphbet that I missed since keep getting longer), most of them do not end up producing more children.

[@hilaryb8807]

This is disgusting.

[@nyhairafrans1245]

This is a living hell for women if this is the ‘way’ that lawlakers wanna go then they better save al that money power etc. to prepare for extintion. Bc no one woman is going to do this willingly.