The situation of population development, population policy and family planning measures of China
China population research leads 1988(3): 11-13
1988
PMID: 12342123 Document Number: 324409
China's birth and natural growth rates are expected to reach a peak in 1988, remain at record high levels until 1995, and then begin to show a gradual decline. This birth peak began in 1986, when there were over 21 million births. The current population growth is a result of dramatic increases in the number of women entering marriageable age. In 1988, there will be 297 million Chinese women in the childbearing age bracket and the age-specific birth peak has dropped from 25-29 years to 20-24 years. State policies aimed at minimizing the effects of the baby boom generation's coming of age include aggressive promotion of postponement of marriage, more rigorous enforcement of the 1-child policy, and improvements in the quality of surgical contraceptive methods. Successful implementation of the state's family planning policy depends on the strengthening and reconstruction of grass-roots units in the countryside and villages. Also needed is refinement of state policy with regard to the fertility of minority and disadvantaged sectors of the population. The overall goal of the Chinese Government is to keep the population from exceeding 1200 million before the end of the 20th century. To facilitate surveillance of the country's demographic situation, a group has been formed that includes representatives of the State Family Planning Commission, the Statistics Bureau, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Ministry of Finance.