Recent footage shared by Chinese netizens shows the empty corridors of a local hospital's obstetrics and gynecology outpatient department. (Video screenshot)
[People News] The birth rate in China continues to decline, while the proportion of the elderly population has been rising in recent years. This declining birth rate is also affecting the education sector, leading to the closure of many schools due to insufficient student enrollment. Kindergartens are particularly hard hit, with over 20,000 closing last year, resulting in a total reduction of 220,000 kindergarten teachers.
The number of kindergarten teachers across the country has decreased by nearly 220,000 in one year.
Recently, the Ministry of Education of the Communist Party of China published the "2025 National Education Development Statistical Bulletin," which indicates that there are currently 2.6126 million full-time preschool education teachers in the country. This marks a decrease of 219,300 from the 2.8319 million reported in 2024.
This decline is directly linked to the drop in China's birth rate. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China reveals that the total number of births in 2025 is projected to be 7.92 million, a decrease of 1.62 million from 9.54 million in 2024, with a natural population growth rate of -2.41‰.
The reduction in birth rates has led to the closure of numerous childcare centers, kindergartens, and primary schools due to inadequate enrollment. Additionally, this trend has significantly impacted teacher training colleges that focus on preparing kindergarten teachers, as well as departments related to preschool education, with some institutions ceasing enrollment or discontinuing related programs.
For instance, Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts will cease enrollment in art education and preschool education programs by 2025. In its announcement for 2025, Shanxi University of Electronic Technology indicated plans to eliminate six departments, including preschool education.
The landscape of preschool education and kindergartens is continuing to contract.
For kindergartens, a decline in student enrollment translates to fewer classes, potential mergers of institutions, or even closures, which in turn reduces the demand for teachers. In higher education, the enrollment figures for preschool education majors and the job market for graduates are both experiencing a simultaneous contraction.
According to data from the Ministry of Education of the Communist Party of China, by 2025, there will be approximately 231,900 kindergartens across the country, a reduction of 21,400 from the 253,300 reported in 2024. The number of children enrolled in kindergartens has decreased from 35,839,900 to 32,255,200, marking a drop of 3,584,700 in just one year. This represents the fifth consecutive year of decline in kindergarten enrollment.
The number of preschool education teachers is also on a downward trend. In 2022, the total number of full-time preschool education teachers in the country peaked at 3,244,200; however, by 2025, this figure has fallen to 2,612,600, reflecting a loss of 631,600 teachers over three years, which is nearly a one-fifth reduction.
Numerous teacher training colleges focused on developing preschool educators are hastening their transformation and adjustments. For example, Henan Zhumadian Preschool Normal College plans to introduce eight new programs, including drone application technology and embodied intelligent robot technology, by 2026. Meanwhile, Hunan Hengyang Preschool Normal College is transitioning into a vocational technical college specializing in measurement.
As China faces an ageing population, several early childhood teacher training colleges are shifting their focus towards elderly care services. For example, Guangzhou Preschool Normal College plans to introduce two new departments in 2025: Stage Art Design and Production, and Smart Health Elderly Care Services and Management. Similarly, Hunan Loudi Preschool Normal College has launched a department dedicated to Smart Health Elderly Care Services and Management.
The ongoing decline in birth rates is affecting not only kindergartens but also primary and junior high schools, as well as higher education institutions. This trend will impact not just kindergarten teachers but also the structure of teacher training colleges, the scale of teacher training, and the overall distribution of educational resources.
Reports revealing a sharp decline of nearly 220,000 full-time preschool education teachers within a year, alongside a significant drop in the number of kindergartens and enrolled children, have ignited lively discussions among netizens across various social media platforms.
Challenges of salary cuts, career changes, and transformation
Many contract (non-staff) preschool teachers have voiced their frustrations, noting that due to the lack of children enrolling, kindergartens have significantly reduced salaries to cut costs, with some teachers seeing their monthly pay fall to just over 2,000 yuan (RMB), which has compelled many to resign voluntarily.
Students in early childhood education and young teachers express their helplessness, stating that there is now “ageing on one side and declining birth rates on the other.” This has led to a halt in enrollment for preschool education programs, which are being replaced by fields such as “Smart Health Elderly Care” and “Nursing.” One netizen humorously commented, “In the past, we taught children morning exercises; in the future, we’ll teach the elderly to do Baduanjin,” and “From ‘teaching kids’ to ‘teaching elderly care,’ the times are changing.”
It’s not that people don’t want to have children; it’s that they simply can’t afford to raise them.
Netizens widely attribute the declining birth rate to high mortgage costs, education expenses, medical burdens, and a high-pressure work environment. Popular comments candidly state: 'Kindergarten teachers are struggling because young people can barely support themselves,' and 'High housing prices and employment pressure serve as the best contraceptives.'
Many young netizens express that witnessing the current economic climate and competitive pressures makes them even less inclined to bring the next generation into a world where they would have to 'struggle' or 'suffer.' The declining birth rate is viewed as a collective decision by society.
Numerous single netizens remark: 'If having children means passing on your hard work and struggles, then choosing not to have children is truly an act of kindness.'
'Domino Effect' and Early Warning
Many netizens highlight that the reduction in kindergartens is merely the first wave of impact; the forthcoming 'tsunami of declining birth rates' will gradually affect elementary schools, middle schools, and universities over time, ultimately impacting the job market and the social pension system.
Many netizens note that it is not only kindergartens closing and teachers losing their jobs; the shutdown of obstetrics and gynecology departments in hospitals, along with the reduction of toy factories and maternal and infant product stores, is already underway.
Some netizens suggest that since the number of children has decreased, could we take this opportunity to promote 'small class' teaching, reducing class sizes from thirty or forty children to around a dozen? This would alleviate the burden on teachers and enhance the quality of care, rather than simply shutting down and laying off staff.
There are also opinions that in the past, private kindergartens varied in quality and were expensive; this restructuring may help eliminate some profit-driven institutions, allowing for a more rational allocation of public preschool education resources.
In general, the public's response to the news of a 'reduction of 220,000 kindergarten teachers' highlights a widespread anxiety regarding the significant shifts in population structure. This discussion goes beyond the decline of a single profession; it also prompts reflections on the high costs associated with childbirth and living, as well as the structural challenges posed by the rapid ageing of society. △
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