China's declining birth rate leads to widespread kindergarten closures

China is grappling with a severe demographic challenge as its birth rate continues to plummet, resulting in a significant decline in early childhood education facilities. In 2025, an average of 59 kindergartens closed each day across the country, according to data released by the Ministry of Education. The total number of kindergartens nationwide fell by 21,400 to 231,900, marking the fourth consecutive year of decline since 2022. The number of kindergarten students also dropped by approximately 10%, or 3.58 million, to 32.25 million.

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In 2025, the number of kindergartens nationwide fell by 21,400 to 231,900, marking the fourth consecutive year of decline since 2022. The number of kindergarten students also dropped by approximately 10%, or 3.58 million, to 32.25 million.

The impact of the low birth rate extends to primary education as well. In 2025, the number of primary schools decreased by about 8,000, the largest reduction in five years. Primary school enrollment saw a 9.6% decrease, with 14.61 million new students. This follows a peak in 2023, after the two-child policy was implemented, which saw enrollment rise to over 18.7 million. However, enrollment has since fallen by more than 22% over the past two years.

Experts attribute this trend to a combination of factors, including the long-term effects of the previous one-child policy reducing the number of women of childbearing age, rising marriage and childbearing ages, and the substantial burden of raising children. The COVID-19 pandemic, which led to delays in marriages and pregnancies after 2020, further exacerbated the decline in births.

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In 2025, the number of primary schools decreased by about 8,000, the largest reduction in five years. Primary school enrollment saw a 9.6% decrease, with 14.61 million new students.

In contrast to the declining numbers in early education, high school enrollment has seen an increase. This is attributed to the cohort of students born between 2008 and 2010, when birth rates were still relatively high. However, the underlying issue of low birth rates persists. The high cost of raising children is frequently cited as a primary reason for the declining birth rate. A report by the YuWa Population Research Institute estimated the average monthly cost per child from pregnancy to age 18 at 2,543.84 yuan (approximately $350), totaling 578,800 yuan ($80,000) over 18 years. This figure represents 6.06 times China's per capita GDP, with urban costs significantly higher than rural ones.

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The high cost of raising children is frequently cited as a primary reason for the declining birth rate. A report... estimated the average monthly cost per child from pregnancy to age 18 at 2,543.84 yuan (approximately $350), totaling 578,800 yuan ($80,000) over 18 years.