In: Economics
The birth rates in China and Japan have dropped drastically since the 1970s to reach similar levels of about 10 births per 1000 people. Why did this happen in each of these countries, given how different their demographic situation is?
Birth rates in both nations have been decreasing drastically since the 1970s and the older generation is getting older.
China's population is the highest in the world and to stop the overpopulation, they employed the one-child policy.
Whereas, in Japan couples mostly prefers to have two children.
>> Although the demographic situation of both the nation is quite different what they have in common is the mentality of the new generation who are busy with their work and social life. The preference of people is changing with the advent of modern times.
>> Costs associated with raising a child is also not low and this is also one of the reasons as to why the young couples do not prefer to have a birth.
>> The women are now also part of the workforce and many men are criticizing this as a reason for the low birth rate. However, this type of thinking is just projecting how the world still views men as the sole bread earner of the family while women stay at home to take care of their house and raise their children.
>> However, the truth lies behind the economic phenomenon i.e. unemployment. The men are not able to find jobs that will provide them with a suitable life of living and then think about starting a family.
There are fewer opportunities for them to meet with the prospective marriage partner.
>> Although the data shows that Japan has steady employment but that also includes the irregular workers who are quite different from the regular workers. So the above issue about not able to provide the family with a suitable life of living is present here.
And not just men, women working at irregular jobs don't have enough time to look for a marriage partner.
>> China is not much different from Japan, there is an unemployment rate, irregular jobs, and young people don't want to marry or have a child.
The male ratio against a female is also very high so even if they want to get married, they might not be able to find a partner.
Although their current population is good enough if it continues to decrease then they will both be facing the implication in the later decades.