Archive · 6 Jan 2026
China Taxes Contraceptives to Boost Birth Rates
China has started charging a 13% tax on condoms and other contraceptives to encourage people to have more babies.
The government hopes this will help because the population is getting smaller and older.
But many people in Beijing say this tax won't make a big difference.
They think the real problems are things like finding good jobs, paying for expensive homes, and feeling stressed at work.
Some also worry about how they can take care of children.
The government has promised to help with these issues, but young people say they need more support, like better benefits for parents, before they will feel ready to have kids.
China has imposed a 13% value-added tax on contraceptives, including condoms, starting January 1.
The government aims to boost birth rates amid a declining and aging population.
Young people in Beijing say the tax won't address the root issues preventing them from having children.
Key obstacles include a weak job market, high housing costs, stressful work culture, and workplace discrimination against women.
The government has pledged to stabilize the number of new births by 2026, but young people demand more support, such as better benefits for parents.
- Who
- Chinese government and residents
- What
- Implementation of a 13% value-added tax on contraceptives
- When
- Effective from January 1
- Where
- China, specifically Beijing
- Why
- To boost birth rates amid a declining population
- Tax Rate
- 13% value-added tax
- Effective Date
- January 1
- Exemptions
- Childcare and marriage brokerage services
- Population Decline
- Three straight years
- Projected Population by 2100
- 633 million
- Current Population
- 1.4 billion
- Key Obstacles
- Weak job market, high housing costs, stressful work culture, workplace discrimination against women
