China Taxes Contraceptives Amid Efforts to Boost Declining Birth Rates

Citizens express skepticism as China introduces a 13 percent tax on contraceptives while making childcare and marriage services tax-exempt to combat falling birth rates.The reform follows three consecutive years of population decline and record-low births in 2024, which experts attribute to high living costs and societal pressure on young people.While Daniel Luo and other residents doubt the financial incentives will encourage larger families, analysts suggest the measures also aim to address rising state debt.