China's Abolition of One Child Policy: Will it Correct the Demographic Imbalance?

Until the 1960s, the Chinese Government under Mao’s leadership encouraged families to have more children as it was believed that population growth could empower the country. This resulted in overpopulation (Population increased from 540 million in 1940 to 940 million in 1976) and increased pressure on consumption and natural resources. During the 1970s, China was confronted by economic problems such as a high rate of inflation and lower per capita income, which limited improvements in the standard of living. Other problems such as reduced capital accumulation and investment, technological backwardness, outdated agricultural methods, and social and environmental concerns were prominent and affected the living conditions of the population...