Hansen and his wife Momo, who have been married for seven years, have chosen to care for six “fur babies” in their apartment in downtown Beijing instead of having children. They refer to their pets as their daughters and sons and consider them part of their family. This choice is at odds with China’s efforts to boost birth rates following the end of the one-child policy in 2016 and the recent shift to encourage couples to have three children. Many Chinese couples like Hansen and Momo are opting to become pet parents instead of having children due to the high cost of raising children and changing societal values.
Goldman Sachs predicts that by the end of the year, the number of pets in China’s cities will surpass the number of children aged four and under. This trend reflects changing values among younger generations who do not see marriage solely as a means of passing on the family lineage. As the pet ownership rate in China continues to grow, the birth rate is projected to decline, leading to challenges for the country’s population growth. The preference for pets over children is causing concern among Chinese officials who are making efforts to promote parenthood through incentives like cash benefits and parental leave.
Pet ownership in China is one of the fastest-growing consumer sectors, with the pet food industry expected to reach $12 billion by 2030. Despite traditionally low rates of pet ownership in Chinese cities, the industry is expanding rapidly. On the other hand, the number of new births in China is projected to decline due to various factors, including a decrease in the number of women in the childbearing age group and young people’s reluctance to have children. The country’s population has been shrinking, with a lower birth rate and challenges related to economic uncertainties.
Young couples in China are facing challenges such as unemployment, long work hours, and societal pressures that contribute to the preference for pets over children. Many people find it easier to nurture pets than to start families due to these challenges. For individuals like Tao, who run dog lodges and have chosen not to have children, the enjoyment of their lifestyle and freedom to travel are priorities. The mentality of the younger generation in China is shifting towards individual choices rather than societal expectations or pressure from family members.
Despite government efforts to promote parenthood and traditional values of marriage and childbearing, many Chinese couples are choosing to have pets instead of children. Stuart Gietel-Basten, a professor at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, points out the challenges faced by young couples in China and the changing societal norms that contribute to the preference for pets over children. Hansen and Momo, who enjoy the company of their fur babies, have made a conscious choice to prioritize their pets over having children. They feel fulfilled by the love and companionship of their pets and see it as a valid choice for their lifestyle.
