With the release of our new destination for geography trips, we have put together a fact file to introduce you to the true scale of China’s population.
Between 1949 and 1976 the population of China almost doubled from 540 to 940 million. This massive growth rate in such a short period of time was causing a variety of problems. The government decided it was time for drastic measures and, inspired by international discussions on the potential effects of global overpopulation, they put together the One Child Policy.
Established in 1979, this policy meant that each couple was allowed just one child, receiving increased benefits such as access to education for all, plus childcare and healthcare. Those who had more than one child didn’t receive these benefits and were fined.
The birth rate did fall and the rate of population growth reduced to 0.7 percent however, in 2015 the one child policy was lifted with the government allowing couples to have two children in order to improve the balanced development of population and to deal with an ageing population.
Take a look at the infographic to explore the change in facts and figures of China’s population over the years.