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Originally Posted by Seahawk
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Demographic ticking bomb there.
Countries, like most people, start (income/capita) poor and (demographically) young. If they are lucky, they get rich by the time they get old - think Japan, Western Europe. If they are really lucky, they get rich when they are still middle-aged - that's the USA.
If they are unlucky, they are only middle income by the time they get old - that's China's fate, I think - more in a sec. If they are really unlucky, they stay poor, which also means they stay young but that's no consolation: think Africa.
Countries tend to (demographically) age as they get richer. Aging means the median ages increases. Birth rate declines and lifespans increase. Birth rates decline because getting richer usually means society is more urbanized, crowded, and expensive, women work more, marriages happen later, children need more costly education to succeed. Lifespan increase is from better medical care.
Older means ratio of young prime-age workers to older workers and retirees declines. All things equal, that tends to decrease economic growth and slow the progression toward (demographically) rich.
The USA is exceptional. We got rich before we got old, and are still not getting old while remaining rich. We have a lot of room for family-size housing, and even though birth rates decline, immigration adds a flow of young, motivated, hungry people. Most immigrants work their asses off, assimilate and add to economic growth.
China got to middle-income but is aging fast. One-child policy, urbanization, very high housing and education costs, little immigration, are all driving rapid aging. They are losing the race to get rich before they get old. China's workforce is peaking around now.
The CCP's efforts to increase housing availability and lower housing costs, reduce education costs, and the (too-late) repeal of one-child policy, are aimed at - among other things - slowing the aging. Its efforts to redirect the economy to high-tech and consumer spending, and redistribute wealth from tycoons to ordinary people are aimed at - among other things - sustain the pace of getting rich.
I also think its increasing cultural suppression (gaming, "laying down" youth, homosexuals, "effeminate" men) is more than just a bunch of old Party members being grouchy - I expect a campaign for young people to breed (financial incentives, persuasion via media, coercion via social credit system, etc). Directing/controlling the housing market would obviously be handy.
Xi has a clear view of China's challenges and needs, has consolidated power, and is trying to force what he sees as the needed changes. He is unconstrained by laws and willing to break a lot of eggs.