Correct Option
The correct option is 1, 2 and 3.
Explanation
China's "One-Child Policy" was implemented in 1979 to curb rapid population growth. While it successfully slowed population expansion, it created significant long-term demographic distortions, including gender imbalances and an aging workforce, which eventually necessitated policy reversals.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: The strict enforcement of the one-child norm, combined with a traditional cultural preference for sons, led to widespread sex-selective abortions and female infanticide. This resulted in a severely skewed sex ratio with a significant surplus of males compared to females.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The policy caused a rapid decline in the fertility rate. As a result, the population structure shifted towards an inverted pyramid, characterized by a shrinking workforce and a growing proportion of elderly dependents. This phenomenon is often referred to as the "4-2-1" problem (four grandparents and two parents dependent on one child).
- Statement 3 is Correct: Acknowledging the adverse economic and social impacts-specifically the shrinking labor force, the burden of an aging population, and the gender imbalance-the Chinese government officially ended the one-child policy. It allowed couples to have two children starting in 2016, and further relaxed the limit to three children in 2021.
Key Takeaway
Key Takeaway: Artificial population control measures like the One-Child Policy can lead to unintended demographic consequences, such as a skewed sex ratio and a rapid increase in the dependency ratio due to population aging, forcing eventual policy reversals.