Part 8/14:
Adding to these economic woes is a demographic crisis. China’s population is not only aging but also stagnating. Young people, exhausted from grueling work schedules—such as China’s notorious 996 work culture—are increasingly rejecting the idea of having children. The “lying flat” movement, a cultural pushback against relentless competition and exploitation, signifies a shift in societal attitudes. If the workforce collectively diminishes its participation or refuses to sustain the current labor model, production would plummet, and the economy’s facade could shatter.