context: Although central support for care provision for children under 3 was announced in 2019, the market remains feeble. Contrary to intentions, efforts to make kindergartens more affordable have actually resulted in a declining supply of preschool education in many places. If none of these problems are resolved, Zhai Zhenwu 翟振武 China Population Association president predicts that only 300,000 more babies will be born even if birth restrictions are done away right now.
The green light from National Health Commission for north-eastern provinces to scrap birth restrictions comes with planned support for preschool and early childcare, including
- supporting non-state investment in affordable early childcare
- providing tax benefits to community-based early childcare institutions
- educating early childcare professionals, with at least one university in each province offering early childcare majors
- offering professional skills training to early childcare service providers
- innovating new insurance products
Zhu Yu 朱宇 Fujian Normal University Research Centre for Population and Development Studies director says removing birth restrictions alone will not reverse low birth rates in north-eastern provinces, which are far below national averages, reports 21st Century Business Herald. The two-child policy in 2016 resulted only in a small rebound in the birth rate that year, but it swiftly continued to plunge in 2017. Thus, on top of removing birth restrictions, support for child rearing is essential, says Zhu. Caring for children under three is a heavy burden for parents who are both working, and public services are often unaffordable. Zhu also points out new mothers should be allowed flexible working arrangements, and suggests monetary support for child bearing.
Relics of the one-child policy should be cleared up, says Huang Wenzheng 黄文政 Centre for China and Globalisation senior researcher. He also warns that delaying retirement could derail birth incentives, as many families rely on elderly people to look after young children.