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Population Growth and Urbanization - Population and Food

5 important questions on Population Growth and Urbanization - Population and Food

Wars, diseases and droughts usually decreased China's population. However, in the mid-19th to mid-20th century China also faced these problems, but the population continued to increase. How was this possible?

Before the 18th century, China sustained itself by cultivating rice and wheat. China's population rose and fell on the basis of how much grain could grow. In the 18th century, new plants like sweet potatoes, maize and peanuts arrived from the New World and Europe, which could all grow on previously unused terrain. The better nutrition increased the chance to live.

In 1957 Ma Yinchu, the president of Peking University, suggested to only allow two children per family. The first family planning campaign was started (no policy enforcements yet). Why did Mao Zedong eventually reject the suggestion of Ma Yinchu?

Mao Zedong was worried about the possibility of war between China and the US. He believed China needed a large population to survive a nuclear war, since China had no nuclear weapons to deter such an attack. Even if nuclear bombs would kill half of the population, millions would still be left to continue fighting.

What did the family planning policy which was established in the 1980ies entail?

This was the one-child campaign. Families could only have one child. Later on, local adjustments were made; farmers could have more than one child if the first-born was a girl or handicapped, or if the father was the only son of his family. In cities the one-child policy was usually followed.

What were the consequences of the one-child policy?

China's fertility rates, birth rates and mortality rates all stabilized, which resulted in a more natural rate of population increase (+0.57% per year)
The ratio boys:girls changed drastically. In 1990 about 117 boys for every 100 girls were born. Girls were often aborted. The ratio might be somewhat more even, since it is also possible that girls were just not reported in rural households.

What is the consequence of the decrease in births?

Fewer workers and offspring to help retired parents and grandparents.

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Understanding contemporary China | 9781588268440 | Robert E Gamer

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Population Growth and Urbanization - Population and Food

5 important questions on Population Growth and Urbanization - Population and Food

Wars, diseases and droughts usually decreased China's population. However, in the mid-19th to mid-20th century China also faced these problems, but the population continued to increase. How was this possible?

In 1957 Ma Yinchu, the president of Peking University, suggested to only allow two children per family. The first family planning campaign was started (no policy enforcements yet). Why did Mao Zedong eventually reject the suggestion of Ma Yinchu?

What did the family planning policy which was established in the 1980ies entail?

What were the consequences of the one-child policy?

What is the consequence of the decrease in births?

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