This book presents an in-depth examination of China’s population control policies from their establishment to the present and explores the developing implications of these policies on the Chinese labour market. The book connects original research on contemporary Chinese demographics with a historical analysis of China’s labour market structure.

Using data from the most recent population census, chapters explore the economic impact of the demographic transition that has taken place over recent decades, from the strict implementation of family planning policies to the current easing of these policies. The book examines income growth and economic development in China after the Second World War with comparative perspectives from other Asian countries including Japan and South Korea. It also devotes a chapter to regional variations in the effectiveness of population control policies, exploring differences in rural and urban areas, and surveys the future challenges for the Chinese government in addressing population and growth-related concerns. This book will be of interest to students and researchers in economic history, labour economics, and demography, as well as those interested in Chinese economic and societal development.