“保楼市”还是“保孩子”？国家动真格，已经向住房“出手”了

Core Viewpoint - In 2023, China experienced negative population growth with only 9.02 million newborns and a birth rate of 6.39‰, significantly lower than the 11.1 million deaths, indicating a demographic crisis exacerbated by high housing prices [1] Group 1: Housing Market Dynamics - The average price of second-hand residential properties in 100 cities has dropped to 15,230 yuan per square meter, marking a 21-month consecutive month-on-month decline, yet a 100 square meter home still costs at least 1.6 million yuan, making it unaffordable for many families [1] - The high housing prices are closely linked to the declining birth rate, as many young people are deterred from marriage and childbirth due to financial burdens associated with home ownership [1] Group 2: Government Strategies - The government is implementing a dual strategy to address the dilemma of "protecting the housing market" versus "protecting children," by relaxing purchase restrictions and lowering mortgage rates to stabilize the real estate market [3] - In August 2023, the State Council approved guidelines for the construction of affordable housing, marking the start of a new round of housing reform aimed at addressing the housing needs of low-income groups [4] Group 3: Affordable Housing Initiatives - The new housing reform aims to build 6 million units of affordable housing over the next five years, significantly reducing the purchasing costs for low-income families, thereby alleviating their financial pressure [6] - The government will focus on the construction of affordable housing rather than intervening in the market prices of commercial housing, allowing the market to determine those prices [6] Group 4: Future Outlook - The coexistence of the commercial housing market and the affordable housing market is expected to become the new norm in China's real estate sector, facilitating a balanced development and potentially reversing the declining birth rate trend [7]