After One Child Policy, now tax on condoms, has China fallen into its own trap? Know how the bet of getting ahead of India became a big deal

China Population Crisis, China Condom Tax: A new decision of the government to stop the population decline in China has become the cause of heated debate and criticism. In China from January 1 13 percent value-added tax (VAT) on contraceptives like condoms and birth control pills. While childcare, wedding related services and elderly care will be exempted from this tax. The government claims that this step is part of a broader policy to increase the birth rate.

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This tax change eliminates exemptions that were in place since 1994, when China Was strictly following the one-child policy. Now, when the country has registered a decline in population for the third consecutive year, the government seems forced to take decisions contrary to the same policy.

Beijing troubled by continuously decreasing population

According to official figures, only 95.4 lakh children were born in China in 2024, which is almost half of what it was a decade ago. While the number of births in 2019 was around 1.47 crore, by 2024 it will fall to around 95 lakh. In 2023, India left China behind and achieved the status of becoming the most populous country in the world. Amidst the aging population and sluggish economy, the Chinese government is continuously increasing the pressure on youth to marry and have children.

Joke on social media, anger on the ground

After the announcement of condom tax, sharp reactions were seen on China’s social media platforms. Some users made fun of stocking up on condoms before the price hike, while others said the cost of contraception was nothing compared to the cost of raising a child.

fear of unwanted consequences

Serious concerns have also come to light regarding the policy of the Chinese government. People warned that due to the cost of contraceptives, students and economically weak people may take risky decisions. He called this the ‘most dangerous aspect’ of this policy. Health experts have also expressed fear that increasing the cost of access to contraception could lead to an increase in cases of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. In 2024, more than 6.7 lakh cases of syphilis and more than 1 lakh cases of gonorrhea were recorded in China.

The highest number of abortions in the world occurs in China?

China has long been known for high abortion figures. Between 2014 and 2021, 90 to 100 lakh abortions were recorded every year. However, after 2022, the government stopped making public the statistics related to abortion.

Experts said – impact will be limited

Demographers and policy experts are skeptical that imposing a tax on condoms will result in any substantial increase in the birth rate. He says that believing that condoms will become expensive and people will have more children is like ‘overthinking the policy’. Experts called it a symbolic move and warned that many stimulus plans depend on debt-ridden provincial governments, which do not have the resources to implement them.

Will there be more burden on women?

Public health experts say that this tax will have the biggest impact on women, because in China the responsibility of birth control lies mostly with women. According to a 2022 study, only 9% of couples use condoms, while 44% rely on IUDs and 30% rely on female sterilization. Some women say that this decision is reminiscent of the government’s past attitude, when fines, forced abortions and strict controls were implemented under the one-child policy. One woman said that this is another attempt to control women’s bodies and their desires.

Accusations of asking till menstruation

In recent months, there have also been allegations that local officials in some provinces are calling women and asking about their menstruation and pregnancy plans. Critics say that such steps can further increase distrust towards the government.

danger of breaking trust

Experts believe that after decades of population control policies, it will not be easy to increase the birth rate. Merely increasing or decreasing taxes will not bring back the trust that has been weakened by years of interference.