Population Flashcards
Causes of China’s one child policy
The one child policy was introduced in 1979 by Deng Xiaoping to combat the rising population in China as a result of Mao encouraging people to have more children to create a larger workforce.
Features of China’s one child policy
Had to apply to the government to get married and have a child.
If people obeyed the rules they would receive: priority housing, free education and healthcare and a salary rise.
If people disobeyed the rules they would be punished through: huge fines, having to pay for health and education, forced sterilisation and forced abortion.
Consequences of China’s one child policy
Gender imbalance with 118 boys to every 100 girls. Females were not deemed as useful, leading to female infanticide or pregnancies being terminated. Many girls were also abandoned and if found were raised in state orphanages, many of which had very poor conditions.
Another consequence was ‘Little Emperor Syndrome’ where only children were often spoilt as China had a growing middle class.
Informers known as ‘Granny Police’ also created fear for the people.
China now also has an ageing population with a 4:2:1 dependency ration. This puts pressure on young people to care for the older generations.
Famine on the scale as that in 1960s prevented has been avoided.
Prevented an estimated 400s million births and growth rate reduced from 2.4-0.5% per year.
Changes to the policy
The policy was relaxed in the 1990s to allow people in the countryside to have another child if the first was a girl.
In 2015 the policy was ended and replaced by a ‘Two child policy’
Causes of migration from Poland to the UK
When Poland joined the EU in 2004 many people migrated from Eastern Europe in search of work. By 2008, over 850,000 had registered to work in the UK.
At the time Poland had a very high unemployment rate; in the early 2000s it reached 20%.
Most migrants were under 34 and only 15% intended to stay permanently.
Wages in the UK are much higher than they are in Poland: whilst in 2006 a Polish worker would make around £4000 a year in Poland compared to £20,000 in the UK.
Advantages of Polish migration
Fills gaps in labour market e.g. nursing, building
Contribute to the economy - £1.9 billion in 2007
Reduces dependency ratio
Money sent back in remittances
Returning Poles take skills with them
Reduces unemployment figures
Disadvantages of Polish migration
Increased strain on education and healthcare
Pressures on housing
Conflict between people and migrants – many think they come for benefits
Ageing population as young professionals leave
Brain drain (doctors earn 4X as much in the UK) - leaves gaps in labour market.
Features of French pro-natal policy
France is encouraging women to have more children whilst continuing with a career.
Day care for children is subsidised, allowing women to continue with a career.
Full time education starts at three years old.
The more children a woman has the earlier she can retire.
Couple get three years of paid parental leave which can be shared by the mother and father.
Income tax is based on the number of children.
Large families get discounted rail travel.
Effect of France’s policy
Fertility rate of 2.1 - above replacement level
