@sarajaneho: In China parents don’t just plan for a baby… they plan the YEAR the baby is born. While Goat years are avoided because gentle goats will suffer easily at the hands of others, Dragon years are considered especially lucky — associated with power, success, and strength. They dominate others. Because of that, birth rates often spike during Dragon years as families intentionally try to time pregnancies around the zodiac calendar. There are population statistics to prove it. Dragons are 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940 and China sees a clear spike in births. In 2012, China’s recorded births increased to 14.5 million which is one of the highest totals in recent decades despite a recent decades despite an overall declining trend in the national birth rate. The government attributed this to parents favouring Dragon babies. The flip side is that applying for schools, national exams, and the job market upon graduation is more competitive in Dragon years, whereas it is easier for Goat years. Listen to the full conversation on this week’s Chinese New Year episode, “The Zodiac Beliefs That Shape Birth Rates in China” on Mind Your Manners podcast.

Sara Jane Ho

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Region: US

Friday 20 February 2026 18:31:10 GMT