Top Issues in 2050

The most important issue facing China in the year 2050 that can contribute to many other problems if not resolved is its rapidly aging population due to the One-Child Policy. If not resolved, China could face economy instability and potential social unrest. What started out a brilliant maneuver to increase economic growth and social stability has turned to unfavorable. China’s government in the process of economic reform determined that its booming population desperately needed containment. In 2010, China’s fertility rate was at an all time low of 1.5. Of the total population, 8 percent was of age 65 and older. It is projected that in 2050 that 8 percent will increase to nearly 30 percent of the population (U). With this great rise in the elderly population, China will need to decide how to handle the burden of rising old age dependency, an ever aging workforce, and declining savings and investment rates (S).

China has one of the highest savings rates, but a family’s personal savings are not used for their old age needs. Rather their funds are invested in their children who intern are to provide for their elderly parents (Q). Concerning government support, there are currently only enough facilities like nursing homes accommodate only about 1.5 percent of the aging population (U). The financial burden of supplying extra facilities and even improving social security and pension systems is currently unaffordable.

As the working age population grows older, there will become a shortage in labor force. This could bring a drop in China’s economic prosperity. There will be a transformation in the economy and the very social structure itself. Traditionally, Chinese families were relatively large and almost every family would have at least one son. It was the son that was relied upon as the elderly parents’ first line of support. After the One-Child Policy, this social structure began to break down as the chances of having a male child greatly decreased. Furthermore through this new structure, the government has created a generation with no brothers or sisters who’s children, if the current family restrictions are allowed to continue, will live in a society with no brothers, sisters, or aunts in uncles. What is worse is that in the past Chinese families relied heavily on the family networks and find jobs and to run social networking (V).

Another growing problem concerns the growing disproportion between males and females. A side effect of China’s One-Child Policy and the desire for male children is the increase in female infant moralities. Some parents resort to sex selective abortion in order to have a child of the desired sex. “Baby girls are also victims of infanticide, abandonment, or deliberate neglect” (V). As a result, in the future China will experience a great gender imbalance. In truth, it is projected that there will be over 30 million more Chinese men of marriageable age than women in the near future.