Why China is taxing condoms — but probably can’t raise births

Condoms had been tax-exempt in China for 32 years because the government wanted people to have more children — making condoms cheaper was just a push in that direction. But as its birth rate kept crashing, China decided it had to nudge people into having more children. So, it reversed its policy and slapped a 13% value added tax on condoms, and birth control pills and devices from January 1 this year. Basically, made it more expensive to have sex but not kids in the hopes that it might raise births.

But the numbers keep going the wrong way.