Summary
China plans to add a 13% tax on condoms and other contraceptives, ending a long-standing exemption. Meanwhile, a Chinese company has signed a deal to use robots in border crossings, which ties into a global discussion about automation and its impact on work and birthrates. The birthrate in China remains low compared to deaths, prompting debates on how to balance population growth with technological advancement.
Key Facts
- China announced a 13% tax on condoms and other contraceptives, ending a decades-long exemption.
- A company in Shenzhen, China, made a $37 million deal to deploy robots at border crossings.
- These humanoid robots will help with tasks like guiding travelers and moving boxes.
- In 2024, births in China were still lower than the number of deaths.
- The U.S. has a similarly low fertility rate, recorded at a record low of about 1.60 in 2024.
- Robots are seen as a cheaper alternative to labor due to their lower purchase costs compared to raising children.
- Automation in China is rising, with the country potentially having half of global humanoid sales by 2025.
- There is an ongoing debate over whether to promote higher birth rates or rely more on robots and automation.
