Pakistan, Jan. 6 -- Despite China's efforts to reverse its declining birth rate, an increasing number of young couples are opting to remain child-free, highlighting the limits of government incentives.

Twenty-five-year-old Grace and her husband, for example, have decided not to have children, resisting societal and familial pressure. Their choice reflects a broader trend among young Chinese couples who prioritize careers, financial stability, and personal freedom over traditional expectations of family life.

China has been facing a demographic crisis since scrapping its one-child policy in 2016 and introducing a two-child policy. The country's population has shrunk for three consecutive years, with just 9.54 million births recorded in ...