Shifts in China's Population Policy, 1984-86: Views from the Central, Provincial, and Local Levels

Since early 1984, important but little-noticed changes have been taking place in China's population policy. 1 Although family planning remains mandatory and third children continue to be prohibited, substantial evidence suggests that China's birth planning program has become more lenient in the past two years. This note reports key changes in policy and practice at the national, provincial, and local levels, and assesses their import for the overall character of the program. It also draws out some of the broader shifts in policy approach that have occurred in the past two years. The review emphasizes family planning policy applied to the Han majority; policies for the ethnic minorities, who make up just under 7 percent of the population, have always been more permissive.2 I draw primarily on statements by government officials in China and articles in Chinese-language health and population publications; additional information was also provided by discussions with Chinese population specialists held during a lecture tour of ten demography research and training centers in November and December of 1985.