China’s One-Child Policy

China’s One-Child Policy By the end of the 1970’s China’s large population had the government concerned about food shortages and the fear of a repeat to the devastating famine that had killed 30 million people by 1962. In 1979, the Chinese government introduced a policy requiring couples to limit themselves to one child. The goal was to control population growth, bringing the nation's total below 1.2 billion by the end of the 20th century.

China’s One-Child Policy To enforce the law, the Chinese government could fine couples for having another child without a permit. The fine of more than 200,000 yuan or $28,925. The law also offered an incentive for single-child homes by offering longer maternity leave and other benefits to families. This policy was seen as a good for society; couples who abided by the mandate were awarded a "Certificate of Honor for Single-Child Parents."

China’s One-Child Policy The policy was relaxed slightly in the mid- 1980s, with the government allowing second children for some families in rural areas or offering exceptions for households in which both parents were themselves only children.

China’s One-Child Policy With fewer people to feed, the government turned a hand-to-mouth society into the world’s second largest economy. Although many families, especially those in the countryside, were exempted from the one-child maximum, Chinese women had, on average, about 1.5 children, compared with about 6 in the late 1960s.

China’s One-Child Policy The law was controversial, as it contributed to concerns over forced abortions and sterilization, and a gender imbalance resulting from female infanticide. Because China was facing an aging and shrinking population rather than an exploding one, the government decided to end the heated policy.

China’s Two-Child Policy Went into effect on January 1, 2016. The new policy is expected to spark a baby boom in 2017 and 2018. An estimated 20 million children will be born in 2017 — four million more than 2016.

China’s Two-Child Policy The higher birth rate will help China cope with a rapidly aging population, a shrinking labor force, and a deeply ingrained gender preference -- China has 34 million more boys than girls. Policies are needed to extend retirement age, to provide more social services for the elderly, and to implement gender equality policies in the work place.

China’s Two-Child Policy Officials believe it will take 10 years to close the gender gap to a normal level. Nonetheless, the strong desire to have sons still exists. Many people are still only having one child, as it is so expensive to raise children in China.