The human mining has run dry, China's birth rate has fallen to a historical low, and the government cannot induce the next generation even with financial incentives.

China's birth rate has plummeted to rock bottom. What is the "population giant" now facing? Why are young people retracting and choosing not to have children? (Background: Record of a Chinese corporate executive's downfall: addiction to cryptocurrency trading, family destruction, and now driving a taxi to pay off debts) (Supplementary background: Chinese state media belittling the instability of US stablecoins: Circle's listing has become a bubble, and US debt defaults will lead to depeg) In recent years, the situation of negative population growth in China has become increasingly severe. Despite various local governments significantly relaxing marriage registration restrictions, opening up China's two-child policy, and even directly remitting subsidies to encourage young families to have children, they have still failed to reverse the avalanche-like decline in birth rates. Within just a few years, such a V reversal has occurred. Why are young people in today's China unwilling to bear offspring? Population dividend is in crisis: Why is the encouragement of childbirth ineffective? China's economic growth has relied on a large labor force in the past, but now the impacts of declining birth rates have spread to the labor market and social welfare systems. Why do the younger generation generally lack confidence in the future, preferring to "lie flat" rather than engage in marriage and childbirth? Research published in Sage Journals bluntly states: "The high costs of raising children and housing price pressures have caused many young families to be dissuaded by reality before they even enter marriage." Policies continue to be rolled out, yet they still cannot change the collective choice of "not having children," indicating that the problem cannot be solved solely by subsidies. Economic pressure: Housing prices and education costs squeeze from both sides According to research, economic pressure is the main reason. Estimates show that raising a child, urban families spend nearly 40% of their disposable income on preschool education, after-school classes, and medical expenses for children aged 0-6, easily consuming young parents' cash savings. Moreover, this expenditure will continue to rise with the child's growth until the next generation reaches the working and marriage stages, and the costs are unimaginable. Another harsh reality is housing prices. Data compiled from the population entry on Wikipedia indicates that the price-to-income ratio in China's first-tier cities has long maintained a double-digit level, and it often takes ten years to "save up for a down payment." A report from Think Global Health also warns that slowing income growth exacerbates the anxiety of "income growth not keeping up with price increases," and having children is seen as a risk rather than a blessing. Subsidy comparison: China's amounts are scattered, while Taiwan's system is complete In order to boost fertility rates, many provinces and cities in China have promoted one-time childcare subsidies, monthly childcare allowances, and extended maternity leave, among other measures, and have reduced administrative friction by directly disbursing to accounts. However, reports from Frontiers in Pharmacology in July and a policy list compiled by China Daily Hong Kong Edition on July 11 both point out that the subsidy amounts generally range from 3,000 to 10,000 RMB, which is merely "a drop in the bucket" compared to the costs of raising a child that can reach millions. The days of paternity leave also vary by region, ranging from 7 days to 30 days, making it difficult to institutionalize male caregiving responsibilities. In contrast, Taiwan manages through a unified system of national health insurance and social welfare. The maternity leave is 56 days, and paternity leave is 5 days, both with full pay. The monthly childcare allowance for children aged 0-6 starts at NT$5,000, along with subsidies for public childcare and kindergarten tuition. Although the benefits are better, they still have not been able to sway young couples. Women's choices: Education improvements lead to different life paths The third force comes from the rapid rise of women's self-awareness. Analysis from Number Analytics in July shows that women's enrollment rates in higher education and labor participation rates have both risen, with career development and independent living becoming their core goals. Research from UCL adds that while maternity leave can be extended to a year in China, the short paternity leave leads to childcare responsibilities falling mainly on mothers, deepening conflicts between work and family. Many interviewed women admit to feeling resistant to becoming "super mothers." The Think Global Health report further points out that when household chores and childcare responsibilities are unequal and promotion opportunities are affected, women are more inclined to postpone or even give up having children. This choice is no longer a minority case but a collective action among urban middle-class women, indicating that the traditional family model is loosening. In summary, the plummeting birth rate in China is not a short-term fluctuation but rather the result of intertwined economic pressures, inadequate policies, and changing gender roles. Experiences from both sides of the Taiwan Strait show that simply increasing subsidies is not enough to reverse the trend. The real key lies in reducing education and housing costs, strengthening public childcare, and establishing gender-friendly workplaces. Only when young people believe that "they can afford to give birth, raise children, and have someone to share the burden" will there be a chance for the population curve to stop its decline and rebound. Related reports: Bored Ape accompanies love into the grave! Whale nd4.eth again destroys BAYC, MAYC, BAKC to vent emotional pain. This article was first published in BlockTempo, the most influential blockchain news media.