What is the One-Child Policy in China?

The One-Child Policy in China is primarily defined as a law that required families to have only one child. Instituted in 1979, this policy was implemented as a measure to control population growth in response to concerns about overpopulation and its impact on economic development and resource availability.

The policy aimed to limit the number of births to increase the quality of family life and alleviate potential strain on the country's resources and social services. Over the years, the One-Child Policy received considerable attention due to its social implications, including gender imbalances and an aging population, leading to its eventual relaxation in 2015 when families were allowed to have two children.

Although it was intended as a part of broader population control strategies, the fundamental aspect of the One-Child Policy was its legal enforcement of a limit on family size, distinguishing it from promotions of larger families or initiatives focused on increasing birth rates.