Term 1 Assignment

1a) China

1b)

1c) China's population at the end of 1993 was 1.185 billion; this population was already putting pressure on natural resources and hampering economic growth. The average annual increase in population between 1970 and 1990 was 14 million. Current population dynamics were described as one of "large size, unreasonable structure, and imbalanced regional distribution. China's population in 1990 almost equaled the total population in all developing countries.The sex ratio favored males and was high among age groups under the age of 20 years. The elderly population aged over 60 years increased to 9% in 1990 and might reach 19% in 2025. The 0-14 age group was expected to decline to 27% of total population in the year 2000. Distribution was uneven with about 94% living east of Hu's Line on 45% of land mass; population density varied from 1.8 in Tibet to 2118 in Shanghai and the average was 118 persons per sq. km. Fertility ranged from 1.2 in Beijing to 4.3 in Tibet.
1d)

1e)The current problems in China were identified as the continuing increase of total population, the change in age structure which would result in a decline by 2025 in dependents aged under 14 years and increased aging, the rising sex ratio at birth which was 113.8 in 1989, and a relatively low educational level (180 million illiterates in 1990, of whom 46.5% were aged 15-39 years). The family planning program should control population growth, create an optimum population structure for filling labor force needs, and balance development and population, the environment, and the economy.