China’s Birth Rate Drops, Over 20,000 Kindergartens Closed Their Doors

Some kindergartens were converted into elderly education centers

Due to China’s declining birth rate, over 20,000 kindergartens have closed their doors within the past two years.

On the 26th, the Chinese economic media Jeil Economy quoted statistics from the Chinese Ministry of Education, reporting that the number of kindergartens in China as of the end of last year was 274,400, a decrease of 24,100 from two years ago.

Two years ago, the number of kindergartens nationwide decreased by 5,610 (1.9%) from the previous year, showing the first decrease since 2008.

From last year, the number of places that have ceased operations increased to 14,800.

This substantial reduction in the kindergarten landscape is primarily attributed to a sharp decline in the birth rate due to various factors, including implementing China’s comprehensive two-child policy. 

In the initial years following the policy’s enactment, the number of newborns in 2016 and 2017 exceeded 17 million each, especially reaching 18.83 million in 2016.

However, newborns dropped to 15.23 million in 2018 and decreased to 14.65 million in 2019 and 12 million in 2020.

With birth rates continuing to plummet, kindergarten close-downs are expected to increase even more because the birth population continued to decrease to 10.62 million in 2021, 9.56 million in 2022, and 9.02 million in 2023.

Some kindergartens have also become senior education centers in response to the shifting demographics.

As time passes, more elementary, middle, and high schools are expected to close.

Professor Chao Jinzhong of Beijing Normal University predicted that “the demand for elementary and middle schools nationwide in 2035 will be 92,800 and 47,900, respectively—a decline of 51,400 and 3,800 from 2020.”

According to Reuters, the decreased birthrate’s impact extends beyond the education sector. Hospitals in Zhejiang and Jiangxi have announced the suspension of obstetrics services.

Meanwhile, due to low birth rates and other factors, China ceded its position as the world’s most populous country to India last year. India’s population now stands at 1.44171 billion, slightly surpassing China’s 1.42517 billion.