How many children can you have in China?
In 1970, China adopted the One Family, One Child law. This law did not work for a long time and in 1980 this program started working, but already in 2014 the law was slightly adjusted.
If a family wants to have two children, then one of the parents must be only son or a daughter in the family, then please, such a couple has the right to have two children and no more.
You can also have a second child if the first child in the family is disabled.
You can have a second child if the couple pays a decent amount to the Chinese budget and there is no ban on the birth of twins or twins, so many young couples turn to artificial insemination in the hope of having twins or triplets.
Chinese authorities are struggling with some women being sterilized or forced to have abortions.
But the Chinese who have children from marriages with foreigners do not fall under this law; they say: give birth as many times as you want, but the children must live and be raised in another country.
In China, there used to be a strict law: there should not be more than one child in a family. This measure was forced, because China is smaller than, for example, Russia, and its population of one billion is a big burden on the economy. In addition, cities with over a million people are not uncommon in China, and a city of 500,000 inhabitants is a village).
But then the government softened the law, allowing to have 2 children if one of the parents is the only child in the family. The third child is already too much and is punishable by a fine.
I know that in the beginning it was possible to have only 1 child, but in 2015, as far as I know, you can already have 2 children, but as for more, then a fine is already imposed, and for each subsequent child the fine increases.
China is an overpopulated country, and there are strict conditions for the birth of children. In 1979, a regulation was introduced that a Chinese family could have one child, this was done to improve the economic situation in China and in order to stop the population explosion.
And in 2013, it was decided that certain families could have two children.
There was an exception that two children could be had by couples where both parents were the only children in their family, or they lived in a village and not in a city.
And from December 28 this year, if one of the parents is the only child in the family, then they are allowed to give birth to a second child.
In China for a long time there was a simple law: One family, one child. It was accepted due to great natural increase in the country back in 1970.
Since 2015, a full-fledged family has been allowed to have two children.
I’m afraid that these are very bad amendments, since the population is growing rapidly even without China.
In China now, the laws have not changed much.
Now a family is allowed to have 2 children.
Let me remind you earlier that 1 child was allowed, subsequent children were born at great losses for the family.
This easing was received with mixed feelings in China.
In China, a strict law was abstained; one family was allowed to have only one child. But they still have hope, because conversations are already underway to allow the Chinese family not just one child, but two. After all, someone can have twins. Now even some families are allowed to have two children, for example, in a village a family had their first girl, and since a girl was born, they can have a second.
The Chinese are playing backwards - already in November 2013 they began to soften the one-family-one-child policy, which was introduced in 1978, it turns out. The mitigation is that if at least one of the parents is an only child, then he can have two children in his family. There is talk that after 2015 everyone will be allowed to have two children. In addition, representatives of small nationalities can have as many children as they want (but this seems to have always been the case), and in some areas rural residents can have two children if a girl is born first (a question of economics - according to Chinese tradition, parents are supported by their sons in old age). In some areas, rural residents are allowed to have three children.
In short, everything is complicated. But they need to increase the birth rate, otherwise there will be many elderly dependents and few working-age Chinese.
Previously, it was only allowed to have one single child in China. On this moment A family can have two children, but no more. And those who violate these rules, then a fine is imposed on this family, which increases with the birth of the next child. So, here in China - there is too much birth rate, even bans are imposed, but in Russia we have a shortage, on the contrary, we are paid money for the birth of the second and subsequent ones.
For now, the Chinese can officially only have one child, although there is a noticeable relaxation in this principle compared to several years ago. Thus, they promise to allow couples in which only one spouse is an only child to have two children, whereas now it is possible to have two children only if both spouses are only children. It is still possible for peasants whose first child is a girl to have two children, parents whose first child is disabled, and several other preferential categories. Well, the number of children the representatives have small peoples is not limited, and these are the favorite peoples of fans of the game of Scrabble - she, yao, li, va, tu.
China (in English – “china”) historically belonged to a number of countries with big amount population. Most had more than two children. The territory of the state is big sizes, but there are still not enough resources. Hence, “draconian” measures were taken to slow down the mass process of childbirth.
Birth control
The government of the country decided to limit the birth rate in China in the 70s, which was caused by:
- The large number of Chinese families with a predominance of three or more children led to a decline in the level of the economy;
- Absence required quantity square meters there was a catastrophic lack of modern and comfortable housing for living;
- There is a lack of funds to provide benefits, maternity and vacation pay, and the country's budget is seriously empty.
To stop the Chinese from giving birth, they introduced a number of birth control measures:
- Payment of a fine for a family that decides to have a second child;
- Local authorities sometimes used force and threats to force women to agree to have an abortion on later pregnancy, when this is not recommended;
- Sterilization of the male population, which leads to health problems.
Saved cash were redirected to other purposes, which ultimately made the Chinese economy one of the most powerful in the world.
One family - one child
The principle of Chinese demographic policy appeared in the 70s of the last century. Due to the introduction of strict measures, the average birth rate in China has decreased by three times. According to the law, one family could have one baby (exceptions include persons who develop multiple pregnancy) or two children if living in rural areas(firstborn is a girl).
In 2013, the demographic crisis forced local authorities introduce exceptions to China's current one-child policy and allow Chinese people to participate more actively in increasing the birth rate. Now it was possible to have a second child, but on the condition that the parents were the only child in their families. Global community received with approval new law with the lifting of the ban on giving birth, noting that China has reached new level of its development.
Historical prerequisites for large families in China
China has always had a large population since ancient times. The samurai developed land plots, and the wife took care of the housework. The tradition was actively continued after the war of 1939-1945. The leadership of the PRC noted that they died in the military conflict huge number people, and the country was increasingly in dire need of rapid economic growth every day, so the ruling party relied on large families. She was encouraged by the government, and it became customary to have at least four children.
Features of population registration in China
Registration of citizens in the PRC has encountered great problems at the stage of its implementation and has a large number of shortcomings. The count is based on the number of deaths over twelve months, and newborn children are not taken into account at all. The party's policy does not allow an accurate assessment of the number of people in the country, so it differs from official statistics.
How are children connected to the country's economy?
In China, due to the implementation of the one-child policy, the state received some dividends from its actions. Started to change average age, financial policy has undergone transformation. After many children were banned, it became easier to spend public money. The question of increasing wages is not being raised; cheap labor prevails in the country. Moms less days are on maternity leave and vacation, and can start working earlier.
Excess of elderly Chinese
The ill-considered actions of the Chinese leadership in the thesis of “one family, one child” have led to the rapid aging of the people, which increases the level of action on social security.
- Due to the fact that fewer children are being born, the working-age population in China has been decreasing for the last seven years. Such a decline could ultimately lead to economic decline;
- Because of large number older workers, the market loses the necessary flexibility;
- If the number of young people does not increase, many industries will face a serious crisis.
Based on statistics, a young couple, their parents (four people) and grandparents (8 people) live in China. Pension legislation in the state is poorly developed. At the moment, the young family is forced most spend their income on helping their relatives and friends, and previously possible brothers and sisters could help them.
Bottom line
After they were allowed to have a second baby, the expected increase in the number of children born did not happen. The fertility rate (how many children are born per woman) fluctuates around 1.5, while the global mark is recorded at 2.2. IN major cities indicator is below one. Such figures, despite the lifting of the ban, are due to a number of reasons:
- The new young generation, which according to the plan should increase population growth, cannot do this because of the driven stereotype that the birth of two children is a terrible event and the birth of a baby will harm the country;
- The state is famous for its poor ecology, hence the emergence of a large number of diseases in future parents (infertility), many children with disabilities are born;
- Frequent practice of abortion if a girl was expected, which led to a decrease in the number of women able to give birth;
- When examining the number of men per woman, gender inequality in Chinese society is revealed. In most cases, men of productive age (from 20 to 40) cannot find a mate.
In 2016, a small “baby boom” was recorded. The symbol of the year was the monkey, and giving birth to a child under this sign means instilling good luck and prosperity in him. The PRC still takes the horoscope seriously.
Experts believe that the country's government was ten years late with the introduction of the Birth Law. In a difficult economic situation, the Chinese themselves will be forced to abandon plans to have as many children as possible.
...My friend, 32 years old office clerk Zhu Te from Beijing, I am incredibly happy about the new resolution of the plenum of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. He and his wife have a 7-year-old daughter. However, according to ancient traditions, they have long dreamed of having a boy: he will grow up, become rich and provide for his parents in old age. The tax for the birth of a second child until recently was 30,000 yuan (about $5,000), and Zhu and his wife began saving a certain amount from each salary to pay the tax. “Great, now we'll save a ton of money! - the future rejoices happy father. “My grandmother raised twelve children, and I would like to have no less.” So far we have received a discount for the birth of our son - this is great news!” In the evening, while eating dinner at a diner in Urumqi (the capital of Xinjiang province), I see customers at the tables hugging as they order each other beer. “Is there some kind of holiday today?” - I ask the waiter. "Yes, sure. People celebrate permission to have a second child.” People in China simply adore children - every day I meet boys and girls on the street, dressed like princes and princesses, spoiled, fed with sweets. Meanwhile, there are 1 billion 370 million citizens in the PRC, and “relaxation,” as analysts say, will lead to the following: in five years, from one hundred to three hundred (!) million babies will be born in the country. What caused such a decision?
Photo: AiF/ Georgy Zotov
“China had no other choice,” says Xinjiang government consultant Alim Karaburi, belonging to the Uyghur minority. — The policy of strict birth control introduced by the “father of reforms” Deng Xiaoping, has been in operation since 1979. One family was only allowed to have one child, period. With the advent of economic success, barriers began to be removed. In rural areas they were allowed to have two children, national minorities (including the Uyghurs) - three: with the proviso that the difference between the birth of one offspring and the other should be four years. Over time, the ban began to make little sense at all: millions of wealthy people appeared in the country - in Beijing and Shanghai, the average salary exceeds $1,000 per month, many can afford to save up for an “extra child.” But this is not the main thing. The population of China is aging rapidly, we have 110 million people retirement age, and in 2050, according to UN estimates, there will be 440 million of them. Can you imagine so many old people? The number of workers is decreasing, it follows: if China loses its status as the “assembly shop” of the planet, prosperity will come to an end. The government had no other choice.
...Where people are far from delighted with the “fateful decision of the plenum” is on the “ethnic outskirts” of the PRC - in the same Xinjiang and Tibet, which greeted the sensation without much enthusiasm. There are already almost as many Chinese residents as the indigenous population - approximately 40-45 percent. “Soon migrants from China will make up two-thirds of total number residents of Xinjiang,” he sadly tells me taxi driver, Uyghur Muhammad, pointing to a huge crowd of Chinese workers emerging from the gates of the Urumqi textile factory. “The game is over, we are consumed.” Fearing conflicts in “problem” regions, the Chinese Communist Party is preparing a new bill - national minorities will be allowed to have children on the principle of “as many as you want,” although this is unlikely to reduce tensions. State propaganda immediately turned on: on television screens the need for such a decision was explained with might and main, a lot of arguments were given, including the following: three hundred million children will contribute to the growth of consumption of goods and will save the Celestial Empire from the impending crisis. Because the Chinese economy is “slowing down”.
Photo: AiF/ Georgy Zotov
“When I was in Russia, they told me a very short joke,” he laughs. businessman Hei Long. — “The sign on the door of a Chinese maternity hospital: “ENOUGH!” Now in the PRC there is a double opinion about this party decree. Those who wanted to have children are happy that they do not have to pay tax. Others are afraid of overpopulation - we already have a terrible environment in our large cities, and for this reason there is an increase in cancer. However, I don’t think that in just a year we will be filled with hundreds of millions of little Chinese. The republic has begun to live better, and many families have children after thirty, preferring to first enjoy the blessings of life. As dangerous example our government nods to Japan, whose citizens, according to statistics, are the oldest in the world. Of the 127 million population, 27 million are grandparents.
...But most of all, the owners of children's stores were delighted with the decision of the plenum of the Central Committee. “I’ve been drinking whiskey for three days now and I can’t stop,” he told me. Zhou Han, owner of the Little Emperor toy supermarket in Urumqi - he can barely stand on his feet, a dreamy smile does not leave his face. — A couple recent years the business was going neither shaky nor slow... Glory to the party, now I will be a rich man.”
The Chinese authorities have decided to abandon the “One Family, One Child” birth control system that has been in effect in this country for several decades. "The government will allow couples to have two children and will abolish previous birth control policies," local Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday, citing an official statement. Communist Party China.
China was forced to limit family size by law in the 1970s when it became clear that land, water and energetic resources countries are not designed for such great amount of people.
According to general rule, Chinese families who acquired a second child were forced to pay a large fine - from six to eight times the average annual income in the region of birth.
Today, the average number of children born to one woman during her lifetime in China has fallen from 5.8 to 1.6. However, throughout the entire period of existence of the “One Family, One Child” concept, the Chinese authorities made adjustments to it and also softened it somewhat. Thus, shortly before the abolition of the rule on “one child” for couples in a number of cities, families in which each parent is an only child were allowed to have a second child. In some rural areas, families whose first child was a girl are allowed to have a second child. At the same time, even those who formally had the right to have a second child had to go through a series of bureaucratic procedures in order to obtain official permission to do so.
Violators of demographic policy were subject to heavy fines. The media regularly reported that local officials forced women who decided to have a second child to have abortions in late stages of pregnancy. The only way to get around current order is the birth of a child abroad, which is widely practiced by wealthy Chinese families.
The Chinese are happy and counting money
The majority of Chinese residents with whom Gazeta.Ru was able to communicate responded positively to the news about changes in the demographic policy of this country.
“I think most people will take it well. Couples do not always succeed in conceiving a boy the first time, and in Chinese society men want to have a son, an heir. Such are the traditions here.
And if a girl has a special hieroglyph in her name that means the word “boy,” then this means that her parents want the next child to be a boy,”
— says Altynai Su Li, a 23-year-old student at a Beijing university, a Chinese citizen.
“When restrictions are lifted, most people always perceive it with joy. My boss, for example, has two children, but wants more and constantly talks about the need for easing in the field of demographic regulation. Construction in China is now proceeding at an incredible pace, with construction in all directions - from ordinary residential buildings to incredible highways, airports, railways with high-speed directions, everything is done for the convenience and comfort of people; people, I think, will react positively to this, as well as to many other things that are being done in the current PRC,” said Anton Dyakonov, a permanent resident of the PRC.
However, some Chinese emphasized that demographic policy is not the only obstacle to creating a large family.
“I don’t think that now everyone will take advantage of this relaxation of the rules and have a second child. Many things are expensive in China today, especially education. There are other problems associated with social security. Not everyone receives the same pension,” noted Ekaterina Bua Tsung, who moved to China People's Republic after she married a citizen of this country.
Experts don't know what to think
The news about the change in the policy of the Chinese authorities in relation to the birth rate caused mixed opinions among experts. “Today’s decision by the CCP is an epoch-making event. The principle of “One family - one child” was a forced measure, and the fact that it is being canceled indicates that China has moved to a more high level development. This is also evidenced by statistical data:
over the past 10 years, the number of representatives of the middle class has grown from 20 million people to 200 million!”
— the president of the autonomous region told Gazeta.Ru non-profit organization"Russian-Chinese Analytical Center" Sergey Sanakoev.
“For modern China, allowing a family to have only one child was really actual problem. And the authorities moved towards abolishing this policy gradually: for example, they allowed those couples where at least one of its members was from a one-child family to have two children. In principle, the “One family - one child” policy had a positive impact on the PRC economy: because of it, about 400 million people were not allowed to be born, and the money to provide for them was spent on economic development states. As a result, China has become one of the first economies in the world,” noted demographer and presenter in a conversation with Gazeta.Ru Researcher Institute Far East Ran Elena Bazhenova. But, according to her, later this principle began to slow down the development of China, which is why it was cancelled.
“Firstly, these measures have led to an aging population: currently, those Chinese over 65 already make up more than 10% of the country’s total population. And it is now impossible for residents of rural areas in China to receive a pension. In addition, there is gender inequality. Now in China there are 40 million more men than women,” the expert said.
“Among the Chinese I know, this news did not cause a stir. And up to today Most Chinese families have two children. The “One family - one child” policy is more complex than people think in Russia.
Thus, parents who were the only child in their families could give birth to two children. Also, families could give birth to a second and third child (and in increasing order) upon payment of a fine, the amount of which varied significantly in different provinces and cities,” said Gazeta.Ru CEO Optim Consult (Guangzhou, China) Evgeny Kolesov, who has lived in China for more than 17 years. He noted that the innovation will make life easier for the Chinese, but those residents of the country who wanted a second child could have done so earlier.
“In general: those who wanted a second child could afford it. Those who don’t won’t rush to give birth en masse tomorrow. It must be understood that most non-Chinese who have heard of this policy have distorted it too much.
The Chinese have given birth and will continue to give birth.
These days there is a children's world chess championship in Greece (I'm interested in chess news because my son is a chess player), so look at the composition of the American and Canadian teams, for example. You will see there in large quantities names such as Wang, Li, Wu, Zhou, Hu. The Chinese are very cunning, they find ways to reproduce,” Kolesov smiles.
Russia will not turn yellow
Most experts agree that the abolition of the “One family, one child” principle will not cause mass migration of Chinese to Russian territory.
“In my opinion, ideas about the threat of mass penetration of immigrants from the PRC into our country are largely far-fetched. The fact is that in China itself the development of territories is very uneven. The eastern, coastal territories there are very developed, and there is a poorly developed Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which includes 11 provinces of the PRC. Meanwhile, in undeveloped territories, huge reserves of natural gas, oil, and the entire periodic table can be found there,” said Elena Bazhenova, a leading researcher at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
According to her,
Now the Chinese authorities will be able to direct more investment and, most importantly, labor to underdeveloped regions.
“We shouldn’t expect an increase in the number of Chinese: we don’t have such a favorable climate for them, we don’t have the proper conditions for developing business here. All this does not contribute to their migration to Russia,” the expert noted.
“The threat of an increase in the number of Chinese migrants is a myth propagated from outside in order to create a quarrel between our peoples. Today we have the most stable border with China, and Chinese citizens are very disciplined about the procedure for entering and staying with us. The same main reason, according to which the Chinese will not come to us in large numbers: conditions for business and life in this country are often better than in ours, and there is no need for Chinese citizens to come here,” the head of the Russian-Chinese think tank Sergey Sanakoev.
For 2017 it is 1.3 billion people). India is catching up with the Celestial Empire with 1.2 billion citizens, followed by the USA, Indonesia and Brazil.
Why are there so many Chinese? This can be explained by several reasons: favorable geographical location and favorable climate, special mentality, and Mao Zedong’s “Great Leap Forward” policy. As a result of the combined influence of these factors, the population has increased significantly.
But why are there so many Chinese after the “One Family, One Child” policy, which severely limited the birth rate for decades? The current situation is simply not affected by all the results of the introduction of the course, which, by the way, was recently cancelled.
Population size and dynamics
The population of China as of 2017 is 1.3 billion. According to some forecasts, the population will range from 1.4 to 1.6 billion by 2035. Official censuses were carried out in 1953, 1964, 1982 and 1990. After the 1990 census, the authorities decided to conduct each subsequent census 10 years after the previous one.
The most reliable results are considered to be those of 1982, according to which there were just over a billion citizens in China. The 1952 census showed 582 million Chinese, which, of course, was very far from the actual picture.
Since the eighties of the last century, China has experienced a sharp decline in the birth rate; the figures were especially low in the second half of the 1990-2000s. The Chinese birth rate in 1982 was more than 18 people per thousand citizens, in 1990 - 21 people, in 2000 - 14 people, in 2010 - 11 people.
Life expectancy and population density
The average life expectancy of Chinese people as of 2017 is more than 75 years for both sexes. Whereas back in 1960 this figure was 43 years.
Despite the large number of citizens, the average population density of China is far from the highest in the world: the PRC is in 56th place in general list with an indicator of 139 people per square kilometer. For comparison: in Monaco the population density is 18.6 thousand inhabitants per km 2, in Singapore - 7.3 thousand per km 2, in the Vatican - 1914 thousand per km 2.
Chinese emigrants in the world
How many Chinese are there in the world? Immigrants from China and their descendants, permanently or temporarily residing in other countries, are called hauqiao. The country's traditions do not reject emigrants from China, since they believe that the decisive role is played not by citizenship, but by origin. In short, if a great-grandfather was born in China, then so is his great-grandson, who has lived, for example, in Germany since birth and has citizenship European Union, will also be considered Chinese.
The Hautqiao live mainly in the USA, Canada, Europe and South-East Asia. How many Chinese are there in the world? According to various experts, there are about 40 million Chinese emigrants worldwide. There are 20-30 million Chinese living in Asia. The largest proportion of Hautqiao populations are in Singapore (78%) and Malaysia (24%).
Reasons for the large population
Why are there so many Chinese? The main reasons are considered to be the following:
- Favorable climate and profitable geographical position. Fertile soils and humidity allow for the cultivation of many crops. Thus, agriculture has long been the main occupation of the population. A thriving economy requires a lot of labor, so large families- this has always been prestigious and stable. The more children there are in a family, the more peaceful and secure old age awaits parents.
- A special mentality. A real cult of family has long reigned in the country, and divorces were something unthinkable. Now, of course, young urban population gains sexual experience early, the so-called civil marriages and extramarital affairs.
- Politics of Mao Zedong. At the turn of the fifties and sixties, the leader introduced the “Great Leap Forward” policy, the goal of which was to make China the most powerful country in the world. People were urged to increase the birth rate. It was during those years that the population more than doubled.
Mao Zedong's Great Leap Forward
Mao Zedong said that there is strength in numbers and called for increasing the birth rate. The country needed workers, farmers, soldiers. The leader launched mass construction, nationalized industry and collectivized agriculture.
To Mao's successors, Zedong left the country in complete crisis, about twenty million people became victims of his policies, and another hundred million suffered in one way or another. But one cannot help but admit that it was Mao who, having received an underdeveloped country, made it independent, quite powerful, and possessing nuclear weapons.
During his reign, the population of the People's Republic of China more than doubled, the rate of adult illiteracy dropped from 80% to 7%, and the amount of goods produced increased tenfold. He also managed to unite the Celestial Empire within almost the same borders that existed during the Empire.
Stabilization of population growth
The first population stabilization campaign was carried out in 1956-1958. Then the Chinese were aimed at labor and general collectivization. “Containment” failed and the population increased. The government made a second attempt in 1962. Then the urban population was encouraged to marry late and have long intervals between the births of children.
The main stage of the birth control policy occurred in the seventies. Then a family could be created only from the age of 25 for girls and from 28 years old for men (residents of rural areas from 23 and 25 years old, respectively). Also, at least four years had to pass between the birth of the first and second child.
The population was actively encouraged to use contraception, and at the same time the number of abortions increased. By the way, China is still the leader in the number of abortions - about 13 million cases of termination of pregnancy at the request of a woman are performed annually.
Policy "One family - one child"
The fourth stage of fertility decline in China began with the motto “One family, one child” in 1979. The authorities planned to keep the population of the Middle Kingdom at 1.2 billion people by 2000. After a slight easing, the policy was tightened again (from the late eighties).
Families were allowed to have only one child, and a very large fine was imposed for intentional or accidental conception and birth of a second one. For many, this was simply an unaffordable amount. Therefore, a network of planning centers appeared in the country where Chinese women could have an abortion. However, another problem arose: even with their first child, Chinese women terminated their pregnancy if it turned out that the fetus was female.
The course can be considered successful, since the consequence was a decrease in the population to the level of “approximately 1.2 billion” people. Tough demographic policies prevented the emergence of about 400 million “extra” people. However, both Chinese and foreign experts consider the claim about the success of the “One Family - One Child” course to be very doubtful.
Positive effects of the policy
The first positive effects appeared already in the eighties. The strain on the economy then eased as the number of births fell sharply. To the only child parents tried to give the best, and the state helped them with this. Children from such families received higher education much more often than those who have brothers and sisters.
Negative consequences of the demographic course
The downsides of the tough demographic policy were the following:
- Decline in the female population.
- A large number of selfish children. It is more difficult for such a child to grow up, interact with society and communicate.
- The number of elderly people significantly exceeded the number of able-bodied people.
- Quotas for the birth of children force Chinese women to be sent to give birth in other countries, usually to Hong Kong.
Cancellation of population policy
In 2015, the “One family, one child” policy was announced to be abolished. How many children can the Chinese have now? Since 2016, parents have been allowed to have two children. It is expected that the number of abortions in women pregnant with girls will decrease, the number of older people will decrease in relation to the working population, and the burden on the economy will decrease.
Features of maintaining statistics
Many experts believe that the demographic indicators of the PRC and some other Asian countries are greatly overestimated and there is evidence of this. The first thing you can pay attention to is the fact that in China there are no registration authorities, like Russian registry offices. Once every ten years a population census is conducted (and even then it is not known how “thorough”), but there is no more data, only forecasts and opinions.
The fact that if we sum up the population of twenty largest cities Celestial Empire, there will be no more than 250 million. So, the question: “Why are there so many Chinese?” becomes simply irrelevant, because there are not many Chinese, but this is the policy of the state, which provides deliberately unreliable information.
Of course, there is also rural population. But the share of the urban population in 2010 for the first time (!) in the Middle Kingdom exceeded 50%, amounting to almost 52%. Adding rural residents, we get a total population of approximately 500 million people. Another 10% of the population in China live without permanent registration, so the maximum population is 600 million people, and not 1.3 billion, as everyone used to think.
There are many studies confirming that the real population is greatly overestimated, but so far there have been no official comments on this matter.
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