In Shanghai, a primary school’s student population dropped to just 22 this year. This shows the effects of China’s declining birth rate.
Even though it is in one of China’s largest cities, Sanqiao Primary School has more full-time staff than pupils. There are 22 children and 23 teachers, according to enrolment data on the local education authority’s website.
A drop in China’s birth rates has led to many preschool closures. Now, it is affecting primary schools too. Sanqiao is an extreme example.
In 2024, the number of kindergartens in China fell by more than 20,000 compared with the previous year.
Student numbers at Sanqiao have also dropped because several nearby residential areas were recently torn down and relocated.
China’s birth rate has declined since reaching a peak in 2016. That was when the laws were changed to allow all couples to have two children.
