China taxes condoms, contraceptive drugs in bid to spur birth rate

In a striking move designed to tackle its declining birth rate, China has reportedly begun imposing a 13% Value Added Tax (VAT) on both condoms and contraceptive pills. This significant policy shift, aimed at encouraging more births, directly impacts the cost and accessibility of these crucial family planning items.

For years, China has grappled with an aging population and a shrinking workforce, prompting a series of measures to boost fertility, including the recent shift away from the one-child policy to a three-child policy. This latest tax imposition, however, marks a more direct and potentially controversial approach to influence personal reproductive choices.

While the government’s intention is clear – to make contraception less appealing and childbirth more likely – the move raises questions about individual autonomy, public health, and the potential for unintended consequences. Will this tax truly make a difference in birth rates, or will it simply make family planning more expensive for millions? It’s a bold gamble in the ongoing effort to reshape China’s demographic future.

Source: Original Article