China’s population policies: past, present and future

Abstract

Objectives

This article mainly concludes the population policies (which contain both the demographic change policy (the family planning policy) and social change policy (the household registration policy)) and related social issues in China.

Methodology

Bibliographical method has been employed to trace their dynamics.

Conclusions

In fact, the fertility policy follows the process of “Period without family planning policy- Primary period for family planning policy- One-child policy- Period of fertility diversification”; while the household registration policy witnessed a process of “Administrative migration period- Reform and the opening-up period- Stable development period-Rapid development period”. Even though these policies control the rapid development of the population and improve their living standards effectively, some social problems occurred: aging problem, gender imbalance and left-behind elders/children etc.

Originality

Analysing the evolution of population policies in China could help to understand their new characteristics so as to formulate a population adjustment plan. Meanwhile, the generated social problems are able to contribute to predicting the possible orientation of population policies and promote a long-term balanced population development.