China's Birthrate Falls to Record Low

Level 4 Lesson by: Aron Thode Source:nytimes.com

How to study this lesson

Ask: (1) What do you know about China's population? (2) Do most people your age want to have children? Why or why not?

Cute babies form a downward-sloping line on a chart, representing China’s declining birth rate.
Fewer babies are being born in China.

Actions

China's birthrate fell to a record low in 2025, marking the fourth year in a row that the country recorded more deaths than births. According to government data, there were only 5.63 births for every 1,000 people—the lowest rate since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

The Chinese government has tried many different approaches to encourage people to have more children. President Xi Jinping has called for a "new type of marriage and childbearing culture" and asked officials to influence young people's views on family life. Some local governments have even tracked women's menstrual cycles and offered cash rewards to matchmakers who help single people find partners.

Despite these efforts, many young Chinese people are choosing not to start families. The main reason is economic pressure. Youth unemployment remains high, and many recent college graduates struggle to find stable jobs. A serious property crisis has also made housing extremely expensive, while the cost of raising a child continues to grow.

The problem has arrived much sooner than officials expected. Just over a decade ago, China still enforced a strict one-child policy. The government relaxed this rule in the 2010s to allow two children, then increased the limit to three in 2021. However, these policy changes have had little effect on the birthrate.

Jia Dan, a 46-year-old man who runs matchmaking events in Beijing, has witnessed the changing attitudes firsthand. "More and more young people just don't want to do it anymore," he said, referring to marriage.

The declining population creates a serious challenge for China's future. Fewer babies today means fewer workers tomorrow, and China already has a rapidly growing number of retirees who will need support.

Vocab List

  • Birthrate (n.) — The number of babies born for every 1,000 people in a population.
  • Record (adj.) — The highest or lowest level ever reached.
  • Encourage (v.) — To try to make someone do something by giving support or reasons.
  • Influence (v.) — To have an effect on how someone thinks or behaves.
  • Economic (adj.) — Related to money, business, and how a country manages its wealth.
  • Unemployment (n.) — The situation of not having a job when you want one.
  • Crisis (n.) — A very difficult or dangerous situation that needs immediate attention.
  • Decline (v.) — To become smaller, weaker, or less important over time.
  • Challenge (n.) — A difficult problem that needs action.
  • Retirees (n.) — People who have stopped working because of age.

Listen and fill the gaps below:

Listen and Fill Gaps

Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:

China's birthrate fell to a (1) __________ low in 2025, marking the fourth year in a row that the country recorded more deaths than births. According to government data, there were only 5.63 births for every 1,000 people—the lowest rate since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

The Chinese government has tried many different approaches to (2) __________ people to have more children. President Xi Jinping has called for a "new type of marriage and childbearing culture" and asked officials to (3) __________ young people's views on family life. Some local governments have even tracked women's menstrual cycles and offered cash rewards to matchmakers who help single people find partners.

Despite these efforts, many young Chinese people are choosing not to start families. The main reason is (4) __________ pressure. Youth unemployment remains high, and many recent college graduates struggle to find (5) __________ jobs. A serious property crisis has also made housing extremely expensive, while the cost of raising a child continues to grow.

The problem has arrived much sooner than officials expected. Just over a decade ago, China still enforced a strict one-child policy. The government (6) __________ this rule in the 2010s to allow two children, then increased the limit to three in 2021. However, these policy changes have had little effect on the birthrate.

Jia Dan, a 46-year-old man who runs matchmaking events in Beijing, has witnessed the changing attitudes firsthand. "More and more young people just don't want to do it anymore," he said, referring to marriage.

The declining population creates a serious (7) __________ for China's future. Fewer babies today means fewer workers tomorrow, and China already has a rapidly growing number of retirees who will need support.

True or False

Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.

  • The Chinese government has successfully increased the birthrate through its policies.
    The article states that despite many efforts, "these policy changes have had little effect on the birthrate."
  • China's one-child policy ended in the 2010s.
    The article says "The government relaxed this rule in the 2010s to allow two children."
  • Jia Dan believes that young people in Beijing are eager to get married.
    Jia Dan said "More and more young people just don't want to do it anymore," referring to marriage.

True or False

1. The Chinese government has successfully increased the birthrate through its policies. T / F

2. China's one-child policy ended in the 2010s. T / F

3. Jia Dan believes that young people in Beijing are eager to get married. T / F

Put Events in Order

Put the events from the story in the correct order from first (1) to last (5):

  • ___ Economic pressure leads many young people to avoid starting families.

  • ___ The government enforced a strict one-child policy.

  • ___ In 2025, China's birthrate fell to its lowest level since 1949.

  • ___ China relaxed the policy to allow two children.

  • ___ The limit was increased to three children in 2021.

Multiple Choice

1. What is the main reason young Chinese people are not starting families?

   A) They don't want to follow government advice

   B) Economic pressure and financial difficulties

   C) They prefer to live in other countries

   D) The one-child policy still exists

2. How has the Chinese government tried to increase the birthrate?

   A) By building more hospitals for mothers and babies

   B) By forcing young people to attend marriage classes

   C) By tracking women's health cycles and paying matchmakers

   D) By giving free houses to families with children

3. What can we infer about China's future workforce based on the article?

   A) It will grow quickly in the next decade

   B) It will stay the same size

   C) There will be fewer workers to support retirees

   D) More workers will come from other countries

4. What does Jia Dan's experience suggest about matchmaking in Beijing?

   A) Women attend his events more often than men

   B) His business is growing rapidly

   C) Men return to his events more often than women

   D) Most attendees get married within a year

5. When did China change its policy to allow three children per family?

   A) In the 2010s

   B) In 2021

   C) In 2025

   D) In 1949

Vocab List
  • Birthrate (n.)
  • Record (adj.)
  • Encourage (v.)
  • Influence (v.)
  • Economic (adj.)
  • Unemployment (n.)
  • Crisis (n.)
  • Decline (v.)
  • Challenge (n.)
  • Retirees (n.)

Vocab Match

Match each vocabulary word with a definition:

1. Birthrate

2. Record

3. Encourage

4. Influence

5. Economic

6. Unemployment

7. Crisis

8. Decline

a) To become smaller, weaker, or less important over time.

b) A very difficult or dangerous situation that needs immediate attention.

c) The situation of not having a job when you want one.

d) Related to money, business, and how a country manages its wealth.

e) To have an effect on how someone thinks or behaves.

f) To try to make someone do something by giving support or reasons.

g) The highest or lowest level ever reached.

h) The number of babies born for every 1,000 people in a population.

Discussion Builder
  1. Housing costs are extremely high and jobs are unstable.
  2. The government has tried many approaches.
  3. There are different ways to support young families.
  4. Birthrates are falling in many places.

Discussion Builder

Choose the best phrase for each gap:

  1. Housing costs are extremely high and jobs are unstable. ________ many young Chinese people are choosing not to start families.

    However, / For example, / As a result, / In addition,

  2. The government has tried many approaches. ________ these policy changes have had little effect on the birthrate.

    Furthermore, / Nevertheless, / As a result, / For example,

  3. There are different ways to support young families. ________ the government could provide more affordable childcare and housing support.

    However, / As a result, / In my opinion, / For example,

  4. Birthrates are falling in many places. ________ an aging population will create challenges for healthcare systems and economic growth.

    Consequently, / However, / For example, / In addition,

Discussion Questions

  1. What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information?
  2. Why do you think young people in China are choosing not to have children?
  3. Does your country have a falling birthrate like China, or is yours still growing?
  4. Does economic pressure affect family planning decisions in your country? If not, what does?
  5. Should governments try to encourage people to have children? Why or why not?
  6. What are some ways countries can support families who want to have children?
  7. What do you think about the government tracking women's health information?
  8. Is it fair to blame young people for not wanting to start families?
  9. Why have attitudes toward marriage changed in recent years?
  10. What challenges might China face in the future because of its aging population?

Answers

Listening: (1) record, (2) encourage, (3) influence, (4) economic, (5) stable, (6) relaxed, (7) challenge

True or False:

  1. False. The article states that despite many efforts, "these policy changes have had little effect on the birthrate."
  2. True. The article says "The government relaxed this rule in the 2010s to allow two children."
  3. False. Jia Dan said "More and more young people just don't want to do it anymore," referring to marriage.
  4. Undefined.

Multiple Choice: B, C, C, C, B

Put Events in Order:

  1. The government enforced a strict one-child policy.
  2. China relaxed the policy to allow two children.
  3. The limit was increased to three children in 2021.
  4. Economic pressure leads many young people to avoid starting families.
  5. In 2025, China's birthrate fell to its lowest level since 1949.

Vocabulary:

  1. Birthrate: The number of babies born for every 1,000 people in a population.

  2. Record: The highest or lowest level ever reached.

  3. Encourage: To try to make someone do something by giving support or reasons.

  4. Influence: To have an effect on how someone thinks or behaves.

  5. Economic: Related to money, business, and how a country manages its wealth.

  6. Unemployment: The situation of not having a job when you want one.

  7. Crisis: A very difficult or dangerous situation that needs immediate attention.

  8. Decline: To become smaller, weaker, or less important over time.

Discussion Builder:

Hints: 1) Result. 2) Contrast. 3) Example. 4) Result.

  1. As a result,

  2. Nevertheless,

  3. For example,

  4. Consequently,

eslnewsstories.com