In a strategic move to understand and address the country’s declining birthrate, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) has initiated a comprehensive survey involving 30,000 participants across 150 counties and 1,500 communities. The initiative aims to investigate the factors influencing attitudes towards childbearing and the prevalent "fear surrounding having children."

The state-backed *Global Times* reported on Thursday that the survey is being conducted by the China Population and Development Research Center, a division under the NHC. This extensive research comes in the wake of China experiencing a second consecutive year of population decline in 2023, prompting authorities to seek effective measures to encourage young couples to have more children.

“The survey seeks to analyze the reluctance and fears that discourage couples from having children,” a spokesperson from the NHC stated. “The insights gained will inform the development of fertility support and incentive measures designed to make childbearing more appealing and feasible for young families.”

This nationwide family and fertility survey is the first of its kind since 2021. It coincides with a separate initiative by China’s National Bureau of Statistics, which is conducting a nationwide sample survey from October 10 to November 30 to monitor ongoing population changes. Both surveys reflect the government's heightened focus on demographic trends, which are often linked to the vision of a strong and rejuvenated China as portrayed in state media.

In September, Chinese health officials emphasized a renewed commitment to promoting marriage and childbirth at "appropriate ages." They advocated for shared parenting responsibilities and aimed to guide young people towards more positive perspectives on marriage, childbirth, and family life. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to stabilize the population growth and ensure sustainable economic and social development.

Beijing’s push to boost the birthrate includes not only surveys but also potential policy adjustments and support systems to alleviate the fears and challenges associated with raising children. As the nation navigates these demographic shifts, the outcomes of these surveys will play a crucial role in shaping future initiatives aimed at fostering a family-friendly environment for its citizens.