Negative population growth in Revolutions.

[unmerged(21897)]

So. I am playing Vicky Revolutions. As China. And it's around 1845. And I just noticed that my population has fallen to about a mere 385.444.000!!!
As it turns out all my provinces have -0,1% growth. Whats up with that? Another 40-50 years and the Chinese will go extinct!!! And in case anyone wonders I have medicine. Bought it off the British.

 

[MannheimCouncil]

What is your tax level for the poor? If they cannot afford their life needs they die. Try lowering taxes and cutting tariffs in that case. Maybe you also need to import food and your prestige is too low so someone else buys it up before you, but that's a bit unlikely.

 

[unmerged(21897)]

My taxes are at a mere 85+ percent for the filthy peasants. You realy think those ungratefull wretches die just so they don't have to pay taxes?
By my ancestors!!! The ingrattitude!!! After all I've done for them!!! Hundreds of thousands where given the honor of dying for me when the British devils invaded!!! And this is how they repay their divine Emperor!!!
AARGH!!!

Thanks. I'll reluctantly lower the taxes and see if it works.

 

[MannheimCouncil]

Yup, that's exactly how I played my first couple of games. 85% can not normally be sustained. You would need to slash them radically for a couple of months until their funds recover then you might go back to 60% or sometimes even 70% for the poor. Don't go over 55% for the middle-class and the rich stratum. They might actually devolve into peasants if you tax them to much.

If you find you have trouble making ends meet try raising tariffs. They should not affect life needs too much when you're playing as China. You can also cut army and naval spending by a bit if you're at peace. Just make sure your defence spending is at max and you have enough manpower to reinforce everybody when you go to war. It can be a risky strategy at times, though. Don't worry too much about money anyway. Once you civilize you'll be rolling in dough.