In a reflection of China’s demographic crisis, thousands of kindergartens have shuttered as the country sees a sharp reduction in births.
China’s declining birth rates have led to the closure of thousands of kindergartens, with enrolment plummeting by over 11 per cent in the last year.
As the population ages, many schools are being repurposed as elder care centres, marking a significant demographic shift.
The closure trend extends to primary schools, which saw a 3.8 per cent drop to 143,500 institutions last year.
Demographers warn that these closures signal profound shifts in China’s demographic composition, with the nation experiencing a continuous drop in both birth rates and overall population.
China’s population fell for the second consecutive year in 2023, reaching 1.4 billion with only nine million births – the lowest number on record since 1949.
As birth rates plummet, China has ceded its title as the world’s most populous nation to India. The population is ageing rapidly, with citizens aged 60 and above now nearing 300 million. Projections indicate that this segment could exceed 400 million by 2035 and reach 500 million by 2050.
Amidst these demographic changes, some former kindergartens have been repurposed as senior care centres, and numerous staff members are now engaged in elder care.
The one-child policy, enforced for over three decades, is often blamed for this demographic dilemma, despite its repeal in 2016 and subsequent revisions that allowed up to three children per couple.
Rising elderly care costs have led China to increase the retirement age for both men and women in efforts to address labour shortages and economic pressures.
Men’s retirement age rose from 60 to 63, while female office workers now retire at 58 instead of 55.
Independent demographer He Yafu told the South China Morning Post, “Kindergarten operators need to adjust strategically to meet new challenges, such as expanding early childhood education to include children under three and establishing an integrated care-education system.”
Efforts to support family growth continue, with initiatives to make marriage more accessible and divorce less so in response to the shrinking, ageing population.
However, challenges persist as fewer families opt for child care, with National Health Commission data indicating only 5.5 per cent enrolment for families needing nursery services.
Follow us
