Can Quantitative Easing Population Policy Rescue China's Sinking Fertility Rate? A Comparative Examination between Jiangsu and Zhejiang

Abstract

China has a low level of fertility after many years of births control by government intervention. Challenged by an aging and low-fertility population, China’s one-child policy was abolished in 2013 and two Quantitative Easing Population Policies (QEPP) implemented in its stead. Based on a study of population evolutions in two eastern provinces in China, this paper analyzes the local factors affecting birthrate and shows that social development and certain other control variables significantly impact fertility rates. Thus, QEPP alone cannot reverse the sinking fertility rate; other public services relating to health and family planning should be considered as well.

Keywords

• local development
• population
• public policy
• demographic policy