Most Populous Province Successful in Population Growth ControlHenan, China's most populous province, has managed to bring its population growth rate under the national average for eight consecutive years.From 1990 to 1999, the province had 5.6 million fewer babies being born than expected due to the family planning policy, and this saved 106 billion yuan of costs for related families and the state as well. Henan is now home to 93.87 million people. "We still face population problems because we have a high population base," Vice- governor Li Zhibin said. Even with a low population growth rate, Henan's population will continue to increase by 1.2 million annually in the following decade, he said, adding that rural population accounts for more than 80 percent of the provincial total. Therefore, the provincial government has begun to provide better family planning services in a bid to keep a low population growth rate and improve population quality. |
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