Introduction
- Introduced in 1979 by
- Objective was to curb population growth and reduce pressure on resources
Key Features
- Couples allowed only one child
- Strict enforcement through
- Fines and penalties
- Forced abortions and sterilisation in some cases
- Workplace and community surveillance
- Exceptions allowed for
- Ethnic minorities
- Rural families in limited situations
Outcomes
- Prevented an estimated 400 million births
- Accelerated economic growth and per capita income rise
- Sharp decline in fertility rate
Negative Consequences
- Ageing population
- Shrinking workforce
- Severe gender imbalance due to son preference
- Rise in sex selective abortions
- Long term demographic distortion
Two Child Policy
Introduction
- Implemented in 2016
- Response to declining working age population and ageing society
Key Features
- All couples allowed to have two children
- Relaxation of earlier restrictions
- Encouraged through state messaging
Impact
- Temporary rise in birth rates
- Failed to reverse long term fertility decline
- High cost of living and education discouraged families
- Urban couples preferred smaller families
Three Child Policy
Introduction
- Announced in 2021
- Based on 2020 census data showing historic fertility decline
Key Features
- Couples allowed to have three children
- Accompanied by supportive measures such as
- Tax incentives
- Extended maternity leave
- Childcare support promises
Current Reality
- Limited success so far
- Fertility rate remains very low
- Social factors outweigh policy relaxation
- Career pressures
- High housing and education costs
- Changing family norms
Comparative Overview
Policy Evolution
- One Child Policy focused on population control
- Two Child Policy aimed at stabilisation
- Three Child Policy targets population revival
Shift in State Approach
- From coercive control to incentive based encouragement
- From limiting births to promoting childbirth
Key Lessons from China’s Experience
Demographic Policy Lessons
- Coercive population control creates long term structural problems
- Fertility decline is difficult to reverse once social norms change
- Economic growth alone does not guarantee higher birth rates
Relevance for India and Other Countries
- Importance of voluntary, rights based family planning
- Need to balance population stabilisation with demographic dividend
- Focus on education, women’s empowerment, and healthcare rather than coercion
Conclusion
China’s transition from one child to three child policy highlights the limits of state controlled fertility regulation and underscores that demographic balance is best achieved through social development rather than coercive population policies.
