China One-Child Policy Case Study

When was China's One-Child Policy introduced?

1979

What was the main goal of the One-Child Policy?

To curb population growth due to fears of overpopulation and resource scarcity.

What was China's population growth rate before the policy?

The population was increasing by 55 million every five years.

What major event led to concerns over population growth in China?

The Great Leap Forward (1958–1962), after which China's population surged to 975 million by 1979.

What was China's projected population without intervention?

Over 1.5 billion by 2025.

How did rapid population growth affect China's economy?

It stretched education, healthcare, and housing systems, leading to concerns of resource scarcity.

What percentage of China's land is arable?

Only 12% of China's land is suitable for agriculture.

How did the Chinese government have the power to enforce the policy?

Centralized control allowed strict policies to be implemented nationwide.

What were the main restrictions under the One-Child Policy?

Couples were restricted to one child, with exceptions for ethnic minorities and rural families if the first child was a girl.

What incentives were given for complying with the policy?

Subsidized education, priority housing, and healthcare benefits.

What were the penalties for non-compliance?

Heavy fines, loss of employment, and denial of social benefits.

How did the government enforce the One-Child Policy?

Through neighborhood committees and family planning officials who monitored pregnancies.

What were some extreme measures taken to enforce the policy?

Cases of forced abortions and sterilizations, particularly in rural areas.

What gender imbalance resulted from the policy?

114 boys for every 100 girls by 2020, compared to a global average of 105:100.

How many births did the One-Child Policy prevent?

Approximately 400 million births.

How did the fertility rate change due to the policy?

It fell from 5.8 in 1970 to 1.7 in 2020.

What economic benefit did China gain from the policy?

A demographic dividend with fewer dependents and a larger working population.

How did the policy affect China's economic growth?

It contributed to China's rise as the second-largest economy globally.

What environmental impact did the One-Child Policy have?

Slower population growth reduced environmental strain in urban areas.

What percentage of China's population will be over 65 by 2025?

20%.

What is the 4-2-1 Problem?

One child is responsible for supporting two parents and four grandparents, creating financial strain.

How many more men than women were there in China by 2020?

33 million more men.

What major demographic shift began in China in 2012?

The working-age population began shrinking.

What policies replaced the One-Child Policy?

The Two-Child Policy in 2015 and the Three-Child Policy in 2021.

What were the main successes of the One-Child Policy?

Reduced population growth, economic development, and environmental relief.

What were the main long-term challenges of the policy?

Aging population, gender imbalance, and a shrinking workforce.

What is the main focus of China's population policy now?

Encouraging births to rebalance population structure and sustain economic growth.