The Chinese government has reversed course and wants more children. What can it do?
Start by considering the reasons many young Chinese workers don’t want kids. They are expected to work 12 hours a day, six days a week (the “996” program), so they have little time or energy for child care. Migrant workers typically have no access to public services in the largest cities, so they either leave their children with older relatives in rural areas or pay for education and health care out of their own pockets. The welfare state is rudimentary at best; families are expected to take care of their own. Residential spaces are small, cramped, and expensive. Under these circumstances, why would they want to add to their burdens?
It would be possible for the state to change these conditions, but any such measures would either offend vested interests or impose enormous costs, which would have to be passed on to taxpayers or consumers. The government has consequently been reluctant to take any effective action up until now. Is there anything else it can do?
Yes. It can restrict access to birth control. Don’t be surprised if that starts happening in the near future.