Group 1 - The overall fertility rate in China is declining, with younger women (20-29 years) contributing less and older women (30-39 years) contributing more to births, leading to a net decrease in birth rates [2][3] - The average age of women seeking assisted reproductive technology (ART) has increased from the early 30s to 38 years, indicating a trend towards later motherhood [3][4] - The success rate of ART for women aged 38 is less than 50%, highlighting the challenges faced by older women in achieving pregnancy [4][23] Group 2 - The demand for ART services has increased significantly, with hospitals reporting a rise in the number of cycles performed, reflecting the trend of late marriage and childbearing [31][32] - As of October 2023, all provinces in China have included ART in health insurance, benefiting over 1 million people [32] - The industry is experiencing a "high-level stable state," with growth slowing but demand remaining strong, as more women seek ART services in urban areas [31][33] Group 3 - The psychological burden on women undergoing ART is significant, with many experiencing anxiety and stress during the treatment process, particularly during the waiting period after embryo transfer [24][30] - The focus of the ART industry is shifting from merely achieving pregnancy to ensuring the safety and health of mothers and babies, with an emphasis on reducing complications associated with high-risk pregnancies [27][30] - There is a growing trend of women actively choosing to pursue motherhood for personal reasons rather than societal pressures, indicating a shift in the perception of fertility and reproductive health [35]

Group 1 - The core issue in South Korea is the declining birth rate, with only 8% of children born in 2022 being third or more, the lowest among OECD countries [1] - In 2023, the proportion of children born as third or more further decreased to 7.5%, while the proportion of first-born children exceeded 60%, marking a record high since statistics began [1][2] - The average age of first-time mothers in South Korea is 33.5 years, the highest among OECD countries, contributing to the trend of late marriage and childbearing [2] Group 2 - The total fertility rate in South Korea has been declining since 2016, reaching a record low of 0.72 in 2023, with a slight increase to 0.75 in 2024, still far below the 2.1 needed for population stability [2] - South Korea is facing a severe demographic shift, with a significant number of young people delaying or forgoing marriage and childbirth due to high living costs and job market challenges [2][3] - The aging population is accelerating, with over 20% of the population aged 65 and above, leading to a natural population decrease of 120,000 in 2024 [3] Group 3 - The South Korean government has implemented various policies to encourage marriage and childbirth, including transportation subsidies for pregnant women and postpartum care subsidies [3] - Local governments are also engaging in initiatives like collective matchmaking events to boost marriage rates and, consequently, birth rates [3]