Part 4/9:
China's situation is not isolated; it reflects a troubling trend seen across various developed nations. Japan, for instance, has experienced a steep decline in birth rates, with recent figures indicating over 28% of its population is over 65. Entire towns have become ghost towns, struggling with abandoned homes and schools shuttering due to a lack of children.
The case of South Korea is even more concerning, as the country recorded a dismal fertility rate of 0.72 children per woman in 2023. Factors such as exorbitant housing costs, long working hours, and gender inequities have contributed to this crisis, making it nearly impossible for couples to consider starting families.