The story so far: The Chinese population has been consistently declining since 2022. As per the UN, by 2050 the Chinese population will be around 1.3 billion from a peak of 1.4 billion. In the hopes of avoiding this very challenge, Chinese President Xi Jinping had abolished the one-child policy in 2016 and replaced it with a two-child policy. For Mr. Xi, increasing birthrates is linked to the ‘rejuvenation of the Chinese nation’. As per Xi Jinping, the onus to manage the Chinese population, rising or falling, is on the shoulders of women.

Source: The Hindu January 19, 2026 15:02 UTC