Think about vast population and China is the first country that comes to mind. It is also the world’s most populous country but has achieved tremendous success in controlling China population growth. In mid 2008, the country’s population stood at 1.3 billion.
China’s population growth and uneven distribution span two periods. From 1949 to 1970, the population growth was dispersed evenly but from 1970 to 1990, the population disparity increased and concentrated in the east of China.
China Population Growth: Some Facts and Factors
Factors that influenced the China population growth are:
Composition of the ethnic population
Regional urbanization and economic trends
Physical and environmental conditions
Other interesting facts are:
- About 20% of the world’s population resides in China.
- The country’s population is estimated to reach 1.4 billion by the latter part of 2010.
- In 2030, China population growth is predicted to peak further and then decline.
China Population Growth Magnitude
China population growth increases by almost 13 million people. This growth rate surpasses the total population of countries like Cambodia, Ecuador and Belgium. The efforts to control the fertility behavior of its people have improved population control in China.
China Population Growth: Main Chinese Provinces
The following China population growth data pertains to its major provinces:
Sichuan 87,250,000 (2007 figures)
Henan 98,690,000 (2007 figures)
Shandong 94,000,000 (2008 figures)
Jiangsu 75,495,000 (2006 figures)
Hebei 70,000,000 (2009 figures)
Impact of One-Child Policy on China Population Growth
China population growth is unbalanced but its rigid one-child policy marked a period of stringent penalties, forced abortions and infanticide. Till 2000, this policy is estimated to have prevented over 250 million births. However, this policy resulted in gender imbalance due to female infanticides.
China Population Growth Chart
China population growth chart as indicated by ChinaToday.com:
| Year Total Population |
1950 |
1960 |
1970 |
1980 |
1990 |
2000 |
| Unit: 10000 Birth Rate |
55,196 |
66,207 |
82,542 |
98,705 |
114,333 |
126,743 |
| Per thousand Death Rate |
37 |
20.86 |
35.07 |
18.26 |
21.06 |
14.03 |
| Per thousand Increase Rate |
18 |
17.91 |
7.6 |
6.34 |
6.67 |
6.45 |
| Per thousand |
19 |
2.95 |
27.47 |
11.92 |
14.39 |
7.58 |
A 2008 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center indicates that over 75% of the Chinese favor the one-child policy. Undoubtedly, China’s demographic transformation has been remarkable.