3+ kids

Around 1980 China began restricting families to only one child, and according to their authorities it's been working. They've prevented about 400 million births. But are they happy about that?

The working age population has declined every year since 2011, and in only twelve years (2030) one out of every four people (including kids) will be 60 or older.

In 2016 the limit was raised to two children. Now there is talk at the highest levels setting the limit at 3 children, or ending the limit altogether.

But the birth rate in nations all over the world has been falling, without a government-imposed limit like China has had. It's a very strong global trend.

image: Bloomberg

China's government likes to exert a lot of control over their citizens' lives. Will they find a way to coerce a new baby boom? Denmark, Japan, and Singapore have been trying to encourage more births for years, unsuccessfully. But China is much more heavy-handed, more controlling. Maybe they can get it done.

(cont'd tomorrow)