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Why there are fewer babies born in the Year of the Snake, and what it means

Many think those born under the Snake will be unlucky. On the other hand, fewer births means less competition for things like school places

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A family where the lucky colour red for Lunar New Year. Fewer babies are born in the Year of the Snake, with many parents believing they will be unlucky. Photo: Shutterstock
From snake-themed events to whether your luck is in: discover all you need to know about the coming Lunar New Year in our Year of the Snake 2025 series.
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Superstition or not, there are many Chinese parents out there who try their best to have a child or two during the Year of the Dragon.

It is believed that those born in this Chinese zodiac year will grow into power and greatness – qualities that the mythical beast is said to possess.

There are more births recorded in China during the Year of the Dragon – which comes around every 12 years – than in any other year.

However, having children born in the Year of the Snake can be thought of as undesirable, as the reptile is often associated with evil in Chinese mythology.
A lighting installation at Beijing’s Wenyuhe Park to welcome the coming Year of the Snake. Photo: AFP
A lighting installation at Beijing’s Wenyuhe Park to welcome the coming Year of the Snake. Photo: AFP

According to China’s National Bureau of Statistics, the number of births in the country dropped by 1.97 million in the last Year of the Snake – in 2013 – when compared to the Year of the Dragon in 2012. In Hong Kong, the number of births in 2013 was nearly 30,000 fewer than that of the year before, according to government figures.

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