China has ended a 30-year tax break on condoms and contraceptives starting January 1. These products now face a 13% value-added tax, the same as most goods. This move shows China’s new approach to fighting its deepening population decline. Population numbers have fallen for the third straight year in 2024. Last year, China saw only 9.54 million births, about half of the total in 2016, the year the one-child policy ended. The government warns that China could “get old before it gets rich” because of a rapidly aging population. Nearly 310 million Chinese were 60 or older in 2024. China once enforced a strict one-child policy with fines and forced measures to control growth. This was loosened in 2016 and again in 2021 to allow more children. Despite that, birth rates kept dropping due to costs, urban life, and changing views. Now, authorities promote marriage and having children as a national goal. Schools are urged to teach “love education” that highlights marriage and family. Top leaders recently pledged to promote positive attitudes to stabilize population numbers. Alongside taxes on birth control, China has introduced cash incentives. Parents get 3,600 yuan ($500) a year for each child under three, up to 10,800 yuan per child over three years. Childcare subsidies are tax-free and a free public preschool program started. State TV said this is a nationwide effort to ease the burden of raising kids and improve welfare. Still, many doubt these steps. A study says it costs about 538,000 yuan to raise one child up to 18 years old, and over one million yuan in big cities like Shanghai. The government’s push faces big challenges as costs and attitudes remain hurdles to growing China’s population.