This essay deals with the population problem in China. It discusses the one-child policy and it effect on China in the 1970s and 1980s.

Essay by lorelie1019High School, 10th grade November 2003

download word file, 1 pages 3.7

Downloaded 107 times

Lauren MortonPer. ENovember 4, 2003

More than 20% of the world's population lives in China. China's population as of 2003 was estimated to be 1,286,975,500.It is estimated that the United States' population increases 13% every 10 years. If this keeps up, the U.S. will hold half of China's current population within the lifetimes of today's teenagers. One of the most extreme measures that has been taken to ensure that China's population does not get out of control is the 'one-child policy'. The policy wasn't adopted by China until 1979, however the policy has had minimal impact. The fertility rate never dropped below 2.5 children per woman in rural areas, but in urban areas the rate is about 1.2 children per woman. Couples are to sign a contract, which grants the couple and their child economic and educational advantages in return for the promising not to have more than one child.

However, by the mid-1980s only 1/5 of all married couples had signed the contract, and nearly half of all the reported were the couple's second, third or more. Basically, the one child policy was ineffective in stopping China's climbing population.