As Beijing grapples with population decline, new research argues subsidies for fathers could tackle falling global fertility rates
The study, co-authored by researchers from Fudan University and the University of Hong Kong (HKU), argued that subsidies for fathers produce significantly higher long-term fertility gains than solely subsidising mothers.
The findings came as the world’s second-largest economy faces a rapidly ageing population, shrinking workforce and strained social welfare system – before reaching high-income status.
The researchers said the drastic decline in fertility rates was especially urgent in countries “getting old before getting rich”, as low fertility threatens economic stability and the ability to catch up to developed nations.
The innovative policy proposal, published last month in a journal run by a joint institute between HKU and The Hong Kong Jockey Club, came as Chinese authorities have struggled to boost birth rates in recent years.
