The ruling Communist Party of China on Monday announced relaxation in its family planning policy, allowing couples to have up to three children, according to a state news agency. The decision was taken in view to improve China's population structure and actively respond to the country's ageing problem."
According to the latest census data, the population of China's working-age has shrank over the past decade, while the number of people over 65 has increased. This has affected the economy and society of the country. The ruling party has enforced birth limits since 1980 to restrain population growth.
In 2015, China abolished its decades-old one-child policy and implemented a two-child policy. But people did not adopt it due to the high cost of raising children. This led to a decline in population. Earlier this month, census data showed that the population had grown at the slowest rate during the last decade since the 1950s. The one-child policy enacted in 1979 to halt a population explosion.
According to the recently released seventh national census data by the Chinese government, the population of China, including all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, has risen to 1.41178 billion, which is 5.8 percent or 7.2 million more than the 2010 figures. Hong Kong and Macau not included in these figures. China conducts a national census every 10 years since the 1990s. According to the latest figures, the country's population has increased by 5.38 percent or 7.2 million to 1.41178 billion as compared to 2010. According to reports, "China's fertility rate was 1.3 children per woman. Which is below the replacement level of 2.1 needed for a stable population."
