Legacy of China’s One-Child Policy Chief Under Fire Following Her Death

Post by : Mina Rahman

The death of Peng Peiyun, the former head of China’s Family Planning Commission and pivotal architect of the one-child policy, has sparked considerable backlash on social media platforms across China. Passing just shy of her 96th birthday in Beijing, she was honored by state media for her contributions to issues affecting women and children during her leadership from 1988 to 1998, but public sentiment has been largely critical.

Enforced from 1980 to 2015, China's one-child policy was a stringent initiative aimed at controlling rapid population growth, leading to forced abortions and sterilizations that raised significant human rights issues. Social media users have expressed their condemnation, sharing poignant reflections on the countless lives that were never born due to the policy.

The enduring demographic ramifications are becoming pronounced, as China’s total population has now decreased for three years consecutively, dropping to 1.39 billion in 2024. This marks a pivotal moment with China’s population now trailing India’s, which surpassed it in 2023. Experts are sounding alarms over the ongoing decline, warning it could severely affect the labor market and economic health.

During her time in office, Peng prioritized family planning initiatives in rural regions, where large families were traditionally valued for labor and elder care. This preference for sons resulted in gender imbalances through practices like sex-selective abortions. Many observers lament that the lost children might now be contributing actively to society and the economy.

Interestingly, in recent times, Peng had advocated for a softening of birth restrictions. Consequently, the Chinese government has pivoted its approach, introducing measures like childcare subsidies, longer maternity leave, and tax incentives to motivate families to increase their number of children.

The demographic dilemma has raised concerns over the economic pressures of an aging, shrinking population. With fewer workers available to support retirees, and escalating healthcare costs, local governments grappling with debt are facing heightened fiscal challenges. The future stability of China’s economy may rest on its capacity to navigate these significant demographic shifts.