How did China go from a population boom to its lowest birth rate since 1949?

China's birth rate has dropped to a record low of 5.63 births per 1,000 people in 2025, marking the lowest level since 1949, as the country's population shrinks for the fourth consecutive year. Despite government efforts, including financial incentives and policy changes to encourage childbearing, the birth rate continues to decline alongside an increase in the death rate, highlighting the challenges posed by an aging population and economic stagnation.