Major Events
Since Mao Zedong's death, China has experienced speedy and massive, economic and industrial growth. The growth seen in modern China is a continuation of the progress that occurred in the previous two decades but has become even more apparent in the 2000s. From 2000 to 2012, China's GDP per capita grew faster than any country in history. The graph to the right shows this immense growth, which is particularly accentuated in the 2000s (Purdy, 2013). China became a part of the World Trade Organization in 2001, which allowed it to trade freely with other countries involved in the organization. This dramatically changed the Chinese economy, as it became even more industrial, relying heavily on manufacturing. The combination of free trade, cheap labor, and accumulated capital has allowed China's economy to launch into the modern era (Purdy, 2013).
The one-child policy continued to be upheld through October of 2015. Since the decision to change this policy, women have been allowed to have two children. While it will likely take roughly two decades for this change in policy to bring about apparent results, many believe that this change has come too late. The population of each age group is very imbalanced, creating an usual workforce (Senthilingham, 2016).
The one-child policy continued to be upheld through October of 2015. Since the decision to change this policy, women have been allowed to have two children. While it will likely take roughly two decades for this change in policy to bring about apparent results, many believe that this change has come too late. The population of each age group is very imbalanced, creating an usual workforce (Senthilingham, 2016).
Demographic Changes
An improved economy has allowed for many advancements in education and technology. While in 1978, more than 90% of the population was illiterate, the average Chinese person by 2008 had roughly 10 years of education (Craig, 2005, p. 176). While these improved conditions are creating a more effective workforce, there remains the issue of the age gap. The gap between the size of the population of the younger generation and the older generation has been widening since the decrease in fertility during the 1970s and is predicted to grow larger. There is a disproportionate amount of older workers currently in the workforce. This will create problems when this older generation is forced to retire, likely at a very old age (Senthilingham, 2016). The graphs below depict the future of the workforce given the ever-declining population of young people.
The population continues to decline, and the population growth that is expected to arise from the change in the one-child policy is not likely to make a significant impact in this trend (Senthilingham, 2016). The three graphs below depict the growth of the older generations, contrasted by the fall of the population of the younger generation between 2000 and 2015.
For more interactive graphs about China's population, go to the World Bank Graphs page.
For more information about the future of China's population, go to the Population section of the website.
Header Photo: Shanghai skyline at night, panoramic. China, East Asia by Mstyslav Chernov used under CC BY-SA