What if China hadn't implemented the one-child policy?

In this photo, orphaned children drink milk at a Chinese foster home. Ironically, China may have been able to slow the growth of its population just as effectively if it hadn't implemented a one-child policy. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images. read more

There would be millions of more Chinese, a bit lower old rate, and slightly higher birth rate. All in all, the actual contribution of this policy to population control, compared to its financial and social costs, was limited. read more

Ironically, China may have been able to slow the growth of its population just as effectively if it hadn’t implemented a one-child policy. Kevin Frayer/Getty Images Back in 1979, China was dealing with the fallout from an unprecedented period of population growth, its population having doubled to 1 billion in just 30 years. read more

If the one child policy had not been introduced, the present (and the future generations) of China would have been more entrepreneurial, risk taking and trust worthy. The fact that an individual is the only child in a traditional Chinese family-puts a lot of pressure on him/her to choose conventional, stable career paths because he/she is expected to take care of the parents when they get old. read more