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The Future of a Demographic Overachiever: Long‐Term Implications of the Demographic Transition in China
Author(s) -
Feng Wang
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
population and development review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.836
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1728-4457
pISSN - 0098-7921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1728-4457.2011.00383.x
Subject(s) - china , term (time) , demographic transition , transition (genetics) , demographic analysis , demographic economics , geography , demography , population , economics , sociology , developed country , fertility , biology , biochemistry , physics , archaeology , quantum mechanics , gene
China has been an overachiever in the global process of demographic transition in the second half of the twentieth century. Its morality decline was unparalleled in human history among populations of significant size consequently setting the stage for rapid population growth. In turn rapid population growth laid the foundation for an unprecedented state intervention in birth control. China’s fertility decline in the closing decades of the twentieth century was perhaps even more extraordinary for its speed and especially for the measures taken and the authorities involved. With China’s fertility now well below replacement level what lies ahead for this demographic overachiever? In this chapter the author examines three issues related to China’s demographic transition. First he briefly reviews the demographic transition in China. Second he discusses the role of the Chinese state a particularly salient aspect of the demographic transition and one that has attracted much attention and caused a good deal of confusion. Third using population projections he highlights a few important features of China’s demographic future deriving in large part from its status as a demographic overachiever.