Two-child policy, and what next?

As we have already learned, China's one-child policy was a very bold and consequential move made by the Communist Party, and it recently announced that the policy is loosened: people are able to have two children instead of just one. However, there are apparent threats from China's own economic structure and its future if the one-child policy is suddenly a two-child policy. 

The problem her seems to be financial: costs of living are rising up and couples are reluctant to spend even bigger portion on their children only. But in truth, many young generation of Chinese couples would rather not have children due to the city's skyrocketing expenses.  

"Let’s say couples do start cranking out more than 1.4 kids. At the absolute earliest, those kids will begin to enter the workforce in 2035. That’s not soon enough. China’s working-age population peaked in 2012 according to official statistics, at 1.0 billion people. In 2025, the (now) 930 million-strong labor force will start shedding 10 million workers a year."  (Guilford, 2013).

This is an absolutely terrifying fact for China. Maybe they are too late to undo what they've done to its population structure. What do you think? 

Resources: 

Guilford, Gwynn. (2013, November 15). Too Late, China Adopt a Two-Child Policy.  QZ. Retrieved November 28, 2013, from www.qz.com 

Lucky Elderlies, Unlucky Elderlies

A global study done by the United Nations discovered that elderlies are going towards an alarming time for them due to a more speedily greying population. For the first time in human history, in 2050, population of elderlies above 60 years old will exceed children below 15 years old. (Gelineau, 2013) This fascinating fact drew my attention, as although I’m more closely studying China, I am curious about what other countries are doing in handling this social issue. I found a loophole that some countries have and don’t: government welfare. The major things we think about when we think of aging population are how to take care of them well. It directly affects economy as taking care of elderlies cost substantial money. If governments are able to provide good welfare that can sustain their lives and if companies all give good pensions, the worry would be much less.

The problem is, China, like many other developing countries, are not providing its elderlies with equal or at least some welfare. These elderlies are worried about their short future, only thinking about what they can do to get through old days. They are scared of being sick, because they don’t know how to afford medical care when they have no pension. Seems like they are constantly worried as they age. Steady economies have proven to be better for elderlies, as the fortunate ones are able to get support groups, good environment, material resources, and fewer worries. However, fortunately, the Chinese government are realizing how big this is of a problem to them as it affects China's society and functions, as well as the economy. It requires a balance of population aging and economic developments, as well as strategies to balance both issues (Zhang, Guo, & Zheng, 2012). 

References:

Gelineau, Kristen. Global Study: World not ready for aging population. Associated Press. Retrieved Nov 14, 2013 from news.yahoo.com. 

Zhang, N., Guo, M., & Zheng, X. (2012). China: Awakening Giant Developing Solutions to Population Aging. Gerontologist, 52(5), 589-596.