It’s that time of the year again: Chinese New Year. It is an annually recurring event and always a rewarding topic to explore somewhat more in-depth in a column. The last time China’s birth rate peaked was in 2012, at 15 births per 1000 inhabitants at the time. In 2023 this rate was slightly over six, which does not really help to combat ageing. More births are badly needed indeed, as China is rapidly greying and has even seen two consecutive years of population decline.
But there is hope on the horizon: 2012 was the Year of the Dragon, just like 2024. Expectations are that birth rates will rise substantially this year compared to previous years. People are even planning ahead with this in mind. That is not such good news for flower growers, since couples planning to have a child in 2024 already got married in 2023. As such, 2024 will be about children rather than weddings, while it’s the weddings that usually boost flower consumption.
The dragon is really something special in China. It is revered so much that it is the only mythical creature with a place in the divine Chinese zodiac. Chinese couples who want children prefer to have them in the Year of the Dragon, so that the child inherits all the good qualities associated with the animal.