ALAG, JERAMIE G. ELLAINE JOY G.

EUSEBIO, MBA
MBA 222 – Economics and National Development Professor

on State
Case Analysis 4: Population, Poverty and Development – China

Introduction

China introduced a plan in 1980 with the goal of reducing the annual birth rate to
one percent by the end of the decade. In 1982, China adopted its one-child-per-
family policy, which was accompanied by numerous economic incentives, such as
better medical care and education for families with one child. The majority of China's
lower class adhere to the policy because they cannot afford to lose their valuable
land to the government, whereas the upper class can afford to have one or two
more children. The benefits of having only one child included better healthcare for
the entire family, a reduction in property taxes, and the placement of one-child
families in better schools where they were less likely to be neglected by teachers.
The family planning policy of China resulted not only in the education of men and
women, but also in a decrease in resource consumption and an increase in per capita
income, which compelled other citizens to follow in their fellows' footsteps (Reflects
on India). In 2009, China's fertility rate dropped to 1.6%.

Rapidly, the nation experienced both positive and negative outcomes. It was readily
apparent that there was a strong preference for boys over girls, according to a
widespread standard. Female newborns were observed to receive significantly less
medical care, and there was an increase in both female abortions and female
infanticide. Female literacy declined. In 1992, Armarta Sen's groundbreaking
research revealed that between 44 and 50 million women were missing

Conclusion

In developed countries, population can be addressed in a variety of ways, but there

are generally few or no regulations prohibiting people from having children. In
nations with a high level of social development, infanticide and inadequate medical
care for female children are extremely rare occurrences. In developed nations,
equality and an ethical approach are more prevalent than in developing nations.
Developed nations have greater opportunities for moral and ethical decision-making.
Governance also plays a significant role in the decision-making process, as China is
ruled by a single individual. Due to this form of government, one person decides the
futures and destinies of millions of people in underdeveloped countries. Multiple
hundreds of people can make decisions in developed nations, allowing for equality
and decisions that serve the common good.

Reference:

Sen, Amartya. ―Missing women.‖ British Medical Journal 304 (1992): 587–588.
Todaro, M.P. & Smith, S. (2012). Economic Development (11 th ed.). Pearson
Addison-Wesley. ISBN 13: 978-0-13-801388-2