Changes in China’s demographic policy in 2010–2021

Abstract

The demographic situation in China at the end of the 20th — beginning of the 21st centuries was characterized by transformations concerning both the general dynamics of the population, and the changes in the age, gender, and educational structures. At the beginning of the 21st century, China’s demographic policy measures evolved significantly. The main objective of this study is to identify the priority directions of demographic policy including support for the birth rate at the present stage. The article presents results of the analysis of the main demographic indicators, proposes a typology of the factors of the current demographic situation including historical, ideological and material backgrounds. The second part of the artivle provides an analysis of the main measures aimed at supporting the birth rate at the country level as a whole, and in separate provinces. The analysis is based on the regulatory documents concerning the birth rate policy in China in the period from 2010 to 2021, as well as the data from the National Bureau of Statistics of China. It is shown that during the past decade in China the family planning and birth control have been replaced by an active policy of stimulating the birth rate. Financial instruments play an important role in shaping the main areas of birth support. In addition, much attention is paid by the state to the issue of expanding the childcare infrastructure, educational institutions, creating preferential conditions for women with children in the field of employment, etc.