New research commissioned by the government has led officials to reconsider China’s strict one-child policy, according to an article today.
Fearing the one-child limitation may lead to social unrest and have adverse economic effects, the government is considering changing the policy to allow families to have two children.
On average, Chinese women have fewer than two children in their lifetime today, versus more than six in 1970. According to the research endorsed by president Hu Jintao, experts say that changing the policy will not lead to a population explosion in a country already 1.3 billion large.
China is already dealing with a 1.17 to 1 ratio of males-to-females born and raised in familes nationwide, as compared to a 1.05 to 1 rate globally. By 204, the nation is expeced to have a 28% share of its population comprised by those over 60, according to the U.N.
The policy, if changed, would likely be applied to cities in the eastern provinces first, where population growth is the slowest, and then gradually be moved to central and western provinces, and rural areas of the country.
