1960s: High birth rate. Population grew by 55 million per year
1970s: Family planning programme introduced. Population grew by 40 million per year. Average family still over 3 children.
1979: One child per family policy. Families with one child got free education, priority housing, pensions and family benefits. Those with two children lost those concessions and were fined.
1980s: Population still grew by up to 25 million per year due to large numbers in reproductive age groups (20-39). Many single children spoilt. Rapid growth in ageing population. Shortage of females.
1990s: Some relaxation. Two children in rural areas if first was a girl. Two in other areas if first was disabled. Small ethnic groups were exempt. Annual population growth averaged 13.5 million.
1996: Further controls and inducements made.
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One-child policy
Permission and a certificate for all pregnancies.
Pregnancies without a certificate may be ended by abortion.
Compulsory birth control for all women with one child.
Compulsory sterilization of all couples with two children.
Fines, night raids on houses where there is a second child.
One child families get priority in education, health and housing.
Couples with one child get a 10 per cent wage bonus.
A couple with a second child pay a fine and a tax each year.
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Additional detail
In rural places they needed more children to work the land.
They were quickly running out of resources and because the country was overcrowded there was a strain on the healthcare system and public transport.
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