China and India combined account for roughly 37% of the world’s population with 20% for China and 17% for India. Both countries have implemented policies designed to limit population growth. Below I will delve into specific polices for both highly populated nations.
China: China is notoriously known for its, “One Child Policy,” which was introduce in 1978 and implemented in 1979. This policy is not very complicated to understand. Each family is allowed to have one child. This creates a problem however because the Chinese view family names as very important. Without having a male to inherit and carry on the family name it dies. Since the policy was implemented there has been a significant decrease in the population growth of the nation. It is estimated that 200 million less people have been born under the policy before the start of the new millennium. Other provisions of this policy include sterilization procedures on those who have already had their allocated child. It is estimated that in 1983, “Tubal ligations, vasectomies, and abortions amounted to thirty-five percent of the total birth control methods,” that took place in the country. Those who violate the one child policy are subject to higher taxes and other punishment as deemed by the state.
India: During the 1940s and early 1950s India had a population growth on average of 1.3%. The political leaders of the time believed that this level of growth would be consistent as time went forward and hence they did not see a need to implement any policies pertaining to growth. Growth however skyrocketed. By the 1960s, just 10 years later, the growth rate had increased to 41 per 1000 people. To curb this India took drastic measures. They implemented a massive overhaul of their health care institutions by increasing the number of hospitals. While this is a good thing, rather than educate their population on birth control measures, they preferred the route of forced sterilization. Although their methods are controversial, they do appear to be working as the population growth rate has decreased from 2.1% in 1990 to 1.7% as quickly as 1997, no small feat for a nation that breached the 1 billion total shortly after.
Population Control 