As China experiences a significant decline in its birth rate, numerous hospitals across the country are ceasing delivery services, raising concerns about the future of childbirth accessibility.
Trend of Hospital Closures
Reports from state-owned media outlet The Paper indicate that the trend of hospitals discontinuing obstetrics services began to surface last year, with several facilities shutting down their obstetrics departments. This trend has persisted into this year, with additional hospitals following suit.
Recent Closures
Among the hospitals that have ceased obstetrics services in 2023 are the Fifth People’s Hospital of Ganzhou City in Jiangxi province and the Jiangshan Hospital of Traditional Medicine in Zhejiang province. While the Jiangxi hospital cited “development plans” for its decision, the Zhejiang facility attributed the closure to business considerations.
Decrease in Maternity Hospitals
Official data reveals a decline in the number of maternity hospitals in China, dropping from 807 in 2020 to 793 in 2021. This reduction reflects the broader challenges posed by the declining birth rate across the country.
Population Decline and Government Initiatives
China’s population, currently the world’s second-largest, has witnessed a consecutive decrease for the second year in a row in 2023. This demographic shift carries significant implications for the country’s economy.
In response, the Chinese government has implemented various measures to incentivize marriage, parenthood, and childbearing. These initiatives include financial incentives, subsidies, and even free public transportation. However, despite these efforts, official data shows a continued decline in the birth rate, reaching a record low of 6.39 births per 1,000 people in 2023.
Reasons for Declining Birth Rate
Young people in China are increasingly hesitant to start families, citing concerns about the financial burden and long-term commitment associated with raising children. This sentiment was echoed by Chinese women interviewed by BI’s Kevin Tan, underscoring the complex socio-economic factors contributing to the declining birth rate in the country.
As China grapples with the challenges posed by its shrinking population, the closure of obstetrics services in hospitals underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of declining birth rates and ensure the sustainability of the country’s demographic landscape.
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