The BMJ 2024 386: e78635

Authors

Yuanyuan Wang#, Fei Kong, Yu Fu, Jie Qiao*

Abstract

Fertility rates have been falling in both more developed and less developed regions for several decades. China has also seen steep falls in fertility rates, which have not reversed despite a gradual relaxation of population policies in China over the past decade. In 2022, China began to experience negative population growth. We consider the reasons behind for the current falls in fertility intention and fecundity in China, analyse their implications for health and other areas of society, and identify policy priorities for health services and pronatalist measures.