China is facing a mounting crisis in early childhood education as declining marriage and birth rates lead to a sharp drop in newborns. According to a 2024 statistical report from the Ministry of Education, the number of kindergartens nationwide fell from 274,400 to 253,300, with 21,100 closures in a single year. Private kindergartens accounted for the bulk of the decline, with over 18,000 shutting down. The sector is further strained by a dramatic reduction in preschool teachers, with 241,800 losing their jobs in 2024 alone – an average of more than 600 per day. Experts predict that by 2025, roughly 26,000 kindergartens could close, and by 2030, only about 163,700 are expected to remain, averaging 15,000 closures annually.
Commentators warn that this wave of kindergarten closures reflects a broader demographic challenge: China’s birth rate has been declining sharply since 2016. Soaring living costs, skyrocketing housing prices, and childcare expenses consuming more than 50 percent of family income have left many young couples struggling, particularly working women who must balance careers and childbearing. Analysts note that young people are not unwilling to have children – they simply cannot afford to raise them.
If the trend continues, the consequences could ripple across the education system, affecting elementary and secondary schools as well as universities. In addition, the shrinking population could impact workforce supply and pension sustainability.
Source: Epoch Times, September 20, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/9/20/n14598656.htm