China, One Child Policy

China, One Child Policy

1. Expected population change, 2000-2050

   • Life expectancy is increasing
   • Likely to be 'top-heavy'
   • explained by the success of the one-child policy, particularly in urban areas
   • explained by astonishing economic development
   • Heavily male weighted in the 2000 pyramid,

2. Background

   • 1979
   • to stop overpopulation
   • Abolishing it would help redress both and would be likely or end female infanticide and gender selective terminations
   • forbids couples from having more than one child in urban areas
   • Parents with multiple children are not given the same benefits as parents of one child
   • Wealthy families pay a fee to the government in order to have a second child

3. Criticisms

   • Caused a male-weighted gender imbalance and an ageing population
   • Encouraged abortion, some had them at 8 months
   • abandoned female babies
   • families prefer males due to the custom that the parents live with the son once he's married, looking after the parents in their old age
   • Under-funded orphanages looking after 1000's
   • 4-2-1 problem (grandparents, parent, child)
   • Government officials have been able to violate the policy
   • abandoned in rural areas
   • Caused female trafficing

4. Implementation

   • before marriage, people are tutored and tested on family planning
   • Have to apply for a certificate from their factory to have a child
   • Certificates issued annually and if the factory meets certain targets of population control, there is a wage increase
   • sign form promising only one child to get work bonuses, priority housing, school, higher pensions and university places for the child
   • benefits removed if a second child is born
   • can cause isolation as it look bad for the country

5. Success of Policy

   • Rate of population growth has declined
   • Individual saving rate increased
   • Average Chinese household expends fewer resources, both in terms of time and money on children, which gives many Chinese people more money with which they can invest
   • Young Chinese can no longer rely on children to care for them in their old age, there is an impetus to save money for the future
   • Fertility and birth rates have fallen
   • Life expectancy has increased
   • Literacy rates have increased