Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No.3, 2021

Multiple Drivers of Fertility Transition: China as Seen from Asia

(Abstract)

Zheng Zhenzhen

China has witnessed a transition from high to low fertility rates within half a century, with low fertility persisting over many years. The fertility transition in China is very similar to that of many other Asian countries/regions where socio-economic development and government family planning have played an important role. Although the decline in China’s fertility rate started relatively late, its speed has surpassed that of most Asian countries. Through reviewing the process and the main drivers of China’s fertility transition and reflecting on the role of government policy interventions in different stages of the transition, we can gain a fuller understanding of the more complex factors influencing fertility in the low fertility era and a better grasp of the policy orientation required to deal with it.