China to scrap one child policy to solve ageing population and growing economy problems

CHINA'S population could explode over the next few decades after the Beijing government announced plans to scrap its one child policy that has been in place since the 1970s and allow families to have two children instead.

 

In a bid to combat what was then seen as an uncontrollable population explosion, China introduced a one child population in the 70s. Despite the measure, however, China still remains the world's most populous country with 1.3bn people but with its economy expanding rapidly, the government has decided to review the policy.

 

After a recent meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Communist Party, it was decided to review the policy in the light of new economic realities. According to the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a two-child solution is needed to address the problem of an ageing population and a falling birth rate.

 

A Communist party spokesman said: "In future, all couples will be allowed to have two children. On average, Chinese women give birth to one child but a birth rate of two children is needed for a stable population."

 

China's restrictive policy had limited most urban families to one child for decades. According to estimates, without the policy, China‘s current 1.3bn population would have been 300m higher.

 

According to a United Nations study of global population published in July this year, India will overtake China to become the world's most populous nation by 2022.  That same report predicted that Nigeria will replace the US as the world's third most populous country by around 2050.