Group 1 - A significant decline in the number of kindergartens is occurring nationwide, with the total dropping to 253,300 in 2024, a decrease of 21,100 from the previous year [2][5] - The number of children enrolled in kindergartens has also sharply decreased, with a total reduction of 12.34 million over the past five years, representing a decline of over 25%, and a 34% drop in enrollment numbers from 2020 to 2023 [2][9] - The decline in the population of children aged 0-4 has been alarming, with a 31% drop in their proportion from 2011 to 2023, indicating a demographic shift that may lead to further educational disruptions [3][25] Group 2 - The crisis in the kindergarten sector has been anticipated, as traditional birth provinces like Shandong and Guangdong are also experiencing enrollment shortages [3][11] - The number of private kindergartens has decreased from 149,500 in 2023 to 135,500 in 2024, reflecting a growth rate of -9.36%, while public kindergartens have also seen a decline [15] - Financial challenges are prevalent among private kindergartens, with 84% reporting funding shortages, and a significant portion carrying debts exceeding 500,000 yuan [21][22] Group 3 - The root cause of the kindergarten closures is the gradual decrease in the number of eligible children, with a notable decline in birth rates since 2018, leading to a negative population growth [24][28] - The birth rate in China has halved from 13.27‰ in 2011 to 6.39‰ in 2023, contributing to the shrinking pool of children eligible for kindergarten [28] - The top ten provinces experiencing the most significant declines in enrollment are traditional birth provinces, highlighting a broader issue of declining birth rates and its impact on educational institutions [32]
幼儿园,变少了
Hu Xiu·2025-06-19 05:03