A brief introduction to China's family planning programme

China Popul Newsl. 1984 Aug;1(3):4-10.

Abstract

PIP: China's family planning program is described in reference to its goals, approaches, and achievements. Between 1949-83, China's population increased from 541 million to 1,024,950,000. The population has a young age structure, and the median age is 22.9 years. 80% of the population is rural, and 90% of the population lives in the southeastern region of the country. In view of this demographic situation, the government recognizes the need to control population growth. China's goals for the year 2000 are to increase industrial and agricultural input by 400% and to keep population size below 1.2 billion in order to ensure that per capita income increases. In accordance with these goals, the government, in 1979, began advocating a 1-child policy. To ensure the survival of single children, the government also launched a program to upgrade maternal and child health (MCH). In some rural areas and among certain minority groups, the 1-child restriction is not applied. Family size goals will vary with time. These variations will reflect the need to maintain a balance between economic growth and population growth. A variety of incentives are used to promote the 1-child family. For example, single children receive medical and educational benefits, and in some rural areas, the parents of single children can obtain additional land contracts. Economic disincentives are also used. The government seeks to obtain compliance with the policy primarily through educating the public about the consequences of uncontrolled population growth. All channels of the mass media are used to deliver the messages, and the publicity campaign is especially intensive in rural areas. A comprehensive plan to provided family planning and population education for middle school students is currently being implemented. Each local area develops its own fertility control plan. This plan is then incorporated into the nation's overall plan and the overall plan is implemented from above. Family planning workers bring free contraceptives directly to the people, and family planning motivators are found in almost all villages, neighborhood committees, factories, and military units. As a result of these efforts, China made great strides in controlling population growth and improving MCH during the last decade. The birth rate declined from 27.93 to 18.62, and the total fertility rate declined from 4.01 to 2.48. 124 million couples were practicing contraception by the end of 1983. 41% used IUDs, 37.4% relied on tubal ligation, 12.9% relied on vasectomy, 5.1% on oral contraceptives, and 1% on other methods. The quality of maternal and child care also improved. 92.7% of all deliveries are now performed by trained midwifes. Infant and maternal mortality rates declined considerablely in recent years. Currently the respective rates are 35.68/1000 live births and 0.5/1000 live births. In 1983 alone, the gross national agricultural and industrial output increased by 46.1%. Since 1979 per capita income increased annually by 18.3% among rural residents and by 10.7% among urban workers. China controls and operates its own population program, but in recent years, it increased its cooperation with UN Fund for Population Activities, other UN agencies, and nongovernment agencies. China recently completed its 3rd national census, and demographic research institutes have been established in 10 universities.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced
  • Achievement*
  • Asia
  • Asia, Eastern
  • Behavior
  • Birth Rate*
  • China
  • Communication
  • Congresses as Topic*
  • Contraception
  • Contraception Behavior*
  • Delivery of Health Care*
  • Demography*
  • Developing Countries
  • Economics*
  • Family Planning Policy*
  • Family Planning Services
  • Fertility
  • Goals*
  • Health
  • Health Planning*
  • Health Services Research
  • Health Services*
  • Income
  • Information Services*
  • International Agencies
  • International Cooperation
  • Maternal-Child Health Centers
  • Motivation
  • Organization and Administration*
  • Organizations
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Politics*
  • Population
  • Population Control*
  • Population Dynamics*
  • Program Development*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Public Policy*
  • Sex Education
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Voluntary Health Agencies