National features of the new Chinese pronatalism

Abstract

In 2016 the Chinese demographic policy, as a result of improving the regulation of population development, was radically reoriented to increase the birth rate. The rejection of «one-child policy» began with permission to have a second child, and soon was supplemented by second births stimulation. Taking into account the world pronatalism, socio-economic measures were applied. They showed that the most effective results can be achieved with the help of socio-economic tools that prevent deterioration of living conditions of families after childbirth. The regional diversity of China determines variability of such measures, but everywhere they begin with targeted «child» payments and the creation of conditions, which do not interrupt women’s professional career after pregnancy and delivery, then they are expanded through social help to families with children, tax relief, reduction of housing and education costs, as well as measures relevant for specific population groups (large families, single mothers, etc.). The main criterion of the assistance targeting is the number of children, but its size and forms depend on local capabilities. The importance of material factors of reproductive choice decreases with an increase of living standards, the conditions making it possible to combine parenthood and profession, large family traditions, gender of children, fertility preservation with safe contraception become more important. Measures, taking into account national specifics, include availability of assisted reproduction programs and promoting a modern three-child family among the population of reproductive age, a significant part of which belongs to the generation consciously focused on small family.