China: One Child Policy

In 1979 China had 1/4 of the world's population and 2/3 of the population was under 30.

The largest group of people were born in the 50s and 60s so when the policy was brought in these people were about to have children.

Couples were given a 'one-child certificate' entiteling them to:

• Cash bonuses
• Longer maternity leave
• Free education
• Free healthcare
• Preferencial housing

• Loss of all privelages
• Could be sacked
• Fined
• Monitored by Granny Police

The Granny Police visited households collecting information on who was pregnant and who was using what contraception to take to a monthly meeting. Each area was only allowed a certain quota of births and the Granny Police had to achieve this by:

• Persuading people to postpone marriage
• Persuading women to have abortions for unauthorised pregnancies
• Persuading people to use contraception or be sterilised