Chinese One Child Policy

Chinese One Child Policy

1. After a famine, 20 million died. From 1959, the population then increased by 55 million per year. Chairman Mao said 'a large population gives a strong nation'

2. In 1974 the 'later-longer-fewer' policy was introduced but failed. Fertility rate at 6.0.

3. In 1979 the one child policy was introduced.

4. In 1990 the policy relaxed and the government was more concerned with the ageing population.

5. Still enforced in some local areas - in 2001 there were over 20,000 abortions and sterilisations in the mountainous Huaji region

6. The policy included:

   • granny police to enforce it
   • promoting the use of condoms
   • tax incentives
   • free education
   • priority housing
   • penalties of 10,000 yuan
   • 10% extra salary
   • Young couples need permission to get married
   • All pregnancies must be authorized

7. Before the policy was impletmented the issues within China included development of education, health and transportation, acceleration of urbanization at the expense of farmland and about 10 million people reaching the employment market each year.

8. FAILURES

   • males outnumbered females by 43 million by 2010
   • one child was spoilt
   • female infasticide
   • created an ageing popultion - over 65's will be 30% of the population by 2025
   • rise in prostitution

9. SUCCESSES

   • growth rate of 0.6% in 2006
   • female social status improved - more in the workforce
   • educated generation
   • more employment
   • resources less exhausted
   • in 20 years, reduced the growth by 300 million
   • greater standard of living

10. IMPACT

    • Around 40% of Chinese women have been sterilized.
    • 70 million single children who have a lot of pressure to succeed
    • in 2001 2.5 million students entered universities
    • without the policy the population by 2000 would have reached 1.6 billion instead of 1.3 billion
    • created an ageing population