Baby Quote by Greg Ip
“If fertility drops much below 2.1 babies per woman, the population will shrink unless it is offset by higher immigration. For this reason, a demographic cloud hangs over China. It may be the first country to grow old before it grows rich. ... Its fertility rate is below two and its working-age population will start to decline around 2015.”
About This Quote
Source Article: The Demographic Challenge of China, Bloomberg, 2015
China’s low fertility and aging workforce threaten economic growth unless offset by immigration.
In simple terms: Low birth rates and aging can hurt economies.
Key Takeaway
Plan for demographic shifts.
Themes
demography
economics
policy
Mood
concerned
analytical
Type
policy
economic
When to use this quote
- government planning
- business strategy
- social services
Key Concepts
population dynamics
labor markets
Questions to Reflect On
- How can China balance immigration with social cohesion?
- What alternatives exist to boost fertility?
A Different Perspective
Immigration policies may face political resistance.
![“[D]on't grow old. With age comes caution, which is another name for cowardice… Whatever else you do in life, don't cultivate a conscience. Without a conscience a man may never be said to grow old. This is an age of very old young men.” quote by Hesketh Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/076/hesketh-pearson-35291_age_d-on-t-grow-old-with-age-comes-caution-w_14010.jpg)
