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An Assessment of the Demographic Transition in China

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  • Jianjun Ji

    (Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 105 Garfield Avenue. P.O. Box 4004, Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004, USA)

Abstract

Many Chinese scholars hold the view that demographic transition in China has been completed. Some even argue that the country has already entered a “post-demographic transition period.†Inspired by John R. Week’s reformulated perspective on demographic transition, this study examines China’s demographic transition with regard to five aspects: epidemiological transition, fertility transition, age transition, family transition, and urban transition. The results indicate that while the epidemiological transition and the fertility transition may well have been accomplished, the transitions in age structure, family, and urbanization have not. The study concludes that the demographic transition in China is not yet finished but still under way. Considering the country’s weak infrastructure in general and the overall low standard of living for the vast rural population in particular, China still faces severe challenges. Policy implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianjun Ji, 2003. "An Assessment of the Demographic Transition in China," Journal of Developing Societies, , vol. 19(1), pages 1-25, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:jodeso:v:19:y:2003:i:1:p:1-25
    DOI: 10.1177/0169796X0301900101
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. M. Merli & Herbert Smith, 2002. "Has the Chinese family planning policy been successful in changing fertility preferences?," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 39(3), pages 557-572, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chen, Zhuo & Eastwood, David B. & Yen, Steven T., 2007. "A decade's story of childhood malnutrition inequality in China: Where you live does matter," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 139-154.
    2. Chen, Zhuo & Meltzer, David, 2008. "Beefing up with the Chans: Evidence for the effects of relative income and income inequality on health from the China Health and Nutrition Survey," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(11), pages 2206-2217, June.

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