Population

[Big read] Can new industries lure talent back to China’s rust belt?

The affordable and idyllic life in Liaoning, Shenyang and Heilongjiang are drawing young professionals back home, but some are torn by the low wages, scarce job opportunities and an economy struggling to transform. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei speaks with these returnees.

Sim Tze Wei

15 Sep 2026

Are Singaporeans disappearing? The identity challenge behind the baby crisis

To confront a historically low total fertility rate, Singapore is re-engineering social frameworks for parenthood. As the nation turns to global immigrants, it needs to ensure that new arrivals successfully forge a rooted national identity. Han Yong May, deputy editor-in-chief of SPH’s Chinese Media Group, considers the issues at stake.

Han Yong May

08 Sep 2026

[Big read] Taiwan is running out of babies — and obstetricians

Taiwan’s fertility rate has fallen to the world’s lowest, as young people delay marriage and parenthood amid soaring costs and uncertainty. Now, a shrinking pool of births is also threatening the country’s healthcare system and its next generation of doctors. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Chuang Hui Liang finds out more.

Chuang Hui Liang

08 Sep 2026

[Big read] Why Beijing wants its citizens to lose weight

China’s obesity crisis is growing despite a nationwide campaign to reverse it. Why is the problem getting worse? Lianhe Zaobao China journalist Meng Dandan speaks with experts and ordinary Chinese to find out.

Meng Dandan

08 Jul 2026

China’s population turn: The start of long-term decline?

China’s latest population statistics show a fourth consecutive year in decline, with births falling to 7.92 million in 2025. A shrinking, ageing workforce is likely to constrain economic growth, but on the flipside, could a smaller population have its benefits? Researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May looks at both sides of the coin.

Genevieve Donnellon-May

24 Feb 2026

The hidden crisis of China’s boom in premature births

Amid China’s decline in birth rate, there has been a rise in premature births. This has proven difficult for many new parents, who sometimes do not have the necessary funds or experience to deal with the associated challenges. Thankfully, there are avenues to get help.

Caixin Global

23 Jan 2026

[Photos] ‘I’m not pitiful’: A migrant woman’s voice from Beijing

Photographer Zhou Na offers a glimpse into the life of Chen Enhua, or Sister Chen, a 57-year-old migrant worker from Sichuan province living and working in Beijing. Despite being widowed, earning little, and facing occupational health issues, the last thing Chen wants is pity from others.

Zhou Na

28 Feb 2025

China’s youths fall out of love with marriage

Younger generations in China are increasingly shunning marriage, put off by the high costs of starting a family. To tackle the issue, the Chinese government may be better off focusing on boosting the sluggish economy, says Lianhe Zaobao China news editor Yang Danxu.

Yang Danxu

19 Feb 2025

Chinese netizens declare ‘sex recession’ among youths

With China facing a weak economy and low birth rate, people are looking at what can be done to reverse the current “sex recession”. Lianhe Zaobao senior correspondent Chen Jing looks at the issue.

Chen Jing

23 Dec 2024

From ancient kings to modern incentives: China’s struggle to boost births

Faced with a declining population, China has implemented a series of measures to boost its birthrate. Academic Zhang Tiankan evaluates the effectiveness of these policies and discusses the factors that motivate and discourage marriage and childbirth.

Zhang Tiankan

19 Dec 2024

[Big read] China’s underground surrogacy: Clash of wealth, ethics and tradition

The surrogacy industry in China is not out in the open, but it exists, providing services to those who are looking to have children through surrogates. Among the considerations are questions of blood ties and the ethics of getting a third party to give birth to a child. Lianhe Zaobao’s correspondent Li Kang speaks to couples and academics to get their take.

Li Kang

22 Nov 2024

Can cash and coercion fix China’s demographic crisis?

Confronted with the issue of declining birth rates and marriages across the country, China has turned to rather unusual methods to encourage young people to marry and have children. Several of these methods, however, have proven to be very unpopular among netizens. Lianhe Zaobao’s China Desk looks into the issue.

China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao

14 Nov 2024