During the 1950s and 1960s, China implemented policies aimed at increasing its population growth rate to support its economic development goals. However, in the late 1970s, the Chinese government reversed this policy and implemented the "one-child policy" to curb the population growth rate. This policy was strictly enforced through fines and penalties, and although it was relaxed in 2015, it has had a lasting impact on China's demographic profile.

 

China's birth rate has decreased due to various factors, including the increased cost of raising a child and the improvements in education for women. The traditional culture of valuing male children has resulted in a preference for sons, but education and economic development have contributed to a decline in this practice. As women become more empowered, they have greater say in their reproductive decisions, leading to a decrease in the number of children born. Moreover, the cost of raising a child in China has increased due to rapid economic growth and urbanization. Higher costs of living, education, healthcare, and housing make it difficult to support multiple children. The one-child policy, which was implemented in the 1970s and abolished in 2015, also contributed to the decline in the birth rate. However, its impact on the population still lingers, and many families opt for having only one child due to economic considerations. In summary, the reduction in the birth rate in China is attributed to several factors, including the increased cost of raising a child and the improvements in education for women. As China's economy continues to develop, it is expected that this trend will continue, resulting in a significant demographic shift in the country's population. The population ageing problem will be a major issue for government to finding solution in the future.

 

Moreover, the advancement of medical care and living conditions has had a substantial impact on the growing elderly population in many countries. Medical technology and treatment advancements have resulted in a rise in life expectancy, allowing individuals to live longer and better lives. As a result, there is an increasing number of older persons who are more likely to need medical care and support. In addition to medical advancements, improvements in living environments and living standards have also contributed to the growth of the elderly population. Access to clean water, sanitation, and better nutrition have helped to reduce the prevalence of infectious diseases and chronic illnesses, leading to a longer lifespan. 

 

Between 1950 and 1990, the number of people in China aged over 100 varied due to significant historical events. The People's Great Steel Making Incident occurred when people gave their iron pots to the state to make steel, resulting in communal "big pot meals" becoming the main food source. Unfortunately, this led to a famine, causing many deaths and fewer individuals living to 100 years old. The Cultural Revolution also took place during this time, with the Red Guards killing people involved in cultural activities, further decreasing the population. Medical technology in China did not improve until 1990, leading to an increase in the number of centenarians.

 

According to the Video Why China’s population is shrinking from Vox, “China is the world’s manufacturing superpower and that’s in large part because of its huge population. Nearly 30% of the country’s economic output comes from manufacturing.” Furthermore, the government must bear the burden of high pension expenditures and the growth of related aged support services. The issue of an aging population is a pressing concern in China due to its significant impact on the domestic labor force. This, in turn, leads to a decline in productivity and export volume. To address this issue, the Chinese government recently passed legislation raising the legal retirement age to 65. This, however, poses a big issue for the next generation of workers, who must support their parents while also paying for companionship. Given China's vast population base, the scope of this problem is significantly greater than that of Japan. Consequently, addressing the problem of an aging population has become a new hot topic and an urgent issue for the government to solve.

​