Latest News:  

English>>China Society

China's top statistician suggests "scientific" population policy

(Xinhua)

16:35, January 18, 2013

BEIJING, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- China needs an "appropriate and scientific" population policy in line with demographic changes, a top statistician said Friday.

Ma Jiantang, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) director, told a press conference that there had been shifts in the country's demographic and labor supply patterns after decades of the family planning policy.

Ma was referring NBS figures that showed a decrease in the working-age population last year, which he said was the first drop in "a considerable period of time."

The working-age population in China decreased by 3.45 million to 937.27 million in 2012 from a year earlier, according to NBS data released Friday.

"I can't deny that I'm worried about this problem," Ma told reporters.

However, he said the family planning policy should still be adhered to, noting that the policy has played a crucial role in helping reduce the birth rate and facilitating the country's sustainable, healthy development.

China's population stood at 1.354 billion at the end of last year, 6.69 million more than that at the end of 2011, the NBS said.

We Recommend:

2012 year in review: Steps of growth

2012 year in review: Say goodbye

2012 in review: Questions on responsibility

China’s weekly story (2012.12.27-2013.1.4)

New Year Wishes from left-behind children

Kazak's wonderful falcon game in Xinjiang

Food is the paramount necessity of life

Dense fog causes serious air pollution

Twisted, ugly ‘Tower of Large Intestine’ found

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:王欣、陈丽丹)

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. Armored regiment in live-ammunition drill

  2. China's naval air force in raid exercise

  3. Brazilians protest old Indian Museum

  4. Railway staff members express greetings

  5. 'Collective weddings' held in kindergarten

  6. Heartbreaking farewell to hero schoolmaster

  7. Internet industry helps keep Chinese economy steady

  8. Come and enjoy Yangge dance

  9. Experience the folk culture in snow house

  10. Ovum donation bank established in Japan

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. Labor shortage hits cities as holiday nears
  2. Reaching out to sympathetic Japanese
  3. The fall and rise of James Bond
  4. Intervention in Mali
  5. Proposal to help Chinese 'gay wives' stirs debate
  6. Tax wrong weapon to combat home prices
  7. What you may not know about studying abroad
  8. Encircling China just Japan's wishful thinking
  9. Editorial: Prudence in urbanization
  10. Japan PM Abe's regional trip 'targets China'

What’s happening in China

'Collective children's weddings' held in kindergarten

  1. Railway police nab 5,144 drug smugglers
  2. New test to identify heavy metals in food
  3. Seven dead in Foxconn bus accident
  4. Safe travel over Spring Festival a priority
  5. Proposal to help Chinese 'gay wives' stirs debate