Family Planning Policy and Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Fertility in China. Executive Summary

摘要

The study investigates the effectiveness of the Chinese family planning policy in reducing fertility. Data from the 1982 census, and 2 random rural household surveys completed two years apart (1987 and 1989) were used to test hypotheses relating fertility (number of children born) to family planning policy and socioeconomic development (i.e., education and income). Using OLS regression, four different measures of family planning policy were examined. The regression results indicate that both family planning policy and socioeconomic development measured by education and income, have contributed significantly toward lowering fertility. This finding has been consistently demonstrated in both census and the two survey studies. It is concluded that both socioeconomic factors and family planning effort are vital ingredients for modern fertility transitions.