China has officially abandoned its One Child Policy amid deepening demographic crisis of shrinking workforce and aging population in the world’s second largest economy.
The new law allows couples to have two children from January 1, 2016 and marks the ending its over three decades old One Child Policy.
What is One Child Policy?
- The one-child policy, instituted in the late 1970s, restricted most couples to only a single offspring and for years authorities argued that it was a key contributor to China’s economic boom and had prevented 400 million births.
- Its main aim was to rein in population growth in order to alleviate social, economic and environmental problems in China.
- It has been enforced by a dedicated national commission with a system of fines for violators and often forced abortions, leading to heartrending tales of loss for would-be parents.
Outcome of the Policy
- The policy led to sex-selective abortions or infanticide targeting girls, because of a centuries-old social preference for boys.
- As a result China’s population — the world’s largest at 1.37 billion — is now ageing rapidly, gender imbalances are severe, and its workforce is shrinking.