China is the world’s second-most expensive country to raise a child, relative to its GDP per capita, according to a prominent Chinese think tank. Beyond the financial pinch, there’s also a hefty price paid in time and opportunity cost, say analysts.
Youth unemployment in China hit nearly 20% last year as lockdowns took their toll. Many young people are rejecting a return to the daily grind, while those seeking security in the public sector have hit a dead end.