BEIJING, Aug 22 (V7N)- Mary Meng, a 37-year-old working mother in Shanghai, feels overwhelmed by the pressures of her job and the high cost of living, leaving her unable to consider having a second child. "The work pressure is such that you don’t even have time to spend with your child," she says. "How can I think about taking care of two children?"

This sentiment is increasingly common in China, where the rapidly declining birth rate and aging population have become urgent issues. Demographers warn that the number of women of reproductive age in China will drop to under 100 million by the end of the century, down from more than 300 million today.

China recently pledged to build a "birth-friendly society" by reducing childcare and education costs, as part of a broader plan announced at a key political meeting. However, experts are concerned that the government's push to encourage urban migration might counteract these efforts. The move aims to stimulate the housing market and boost economic growth, but urban areas typically see lower birth rates due to high living costs, limited space, and demanding work schedules.

In cities like Shanghai, where the fertility rate was just 0.6 in 2023, compared to the national average of 1.1, the challenges are stark. Rural areas have slightly higher fertility rates, but still fall short of the replacement level of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population.

Factors contributing to declining fertility include increased couple infertility rates, now at 18% in China compared to around 15% globally. Stress from urban jobs and industrial pollution are major contributors.

Demographers like Yi Fuxian from the University of Wisconsin-Madison argue that China's focus on urbanization overlooks the basic demographic principle that higher population density in cities typically leads to lower birth rates. He warns that continuing to push people into urban centers will likely worsen the fertility crisis and accelerate aging.

While China's urbanization rate is currently around 65%, lower than Japan and South Korea’s rates of 80-90%, there is still potential for policy shifts. Improving rural living conditions and offering better public services might offer a more sustainable solution than further urbanization, say experts.

Successful birth rate policies in countries like France and Sweden often involve comprehensive measures including gender equality, strong labor rights, and robust social welfare systems. Simply reducing childcare costs without addressing broader issues of work-life balance and financial stability may not be effective.

Mary Meng believes that no policy will succeed until there is a general sense of optimism about the future. "No matter how hard you work, it is just survival," she says, reflecting widespread concerns about financial prospects and quality of life.