China's Changing Family Policies: What's Working and What's Not?

China's family policies have undergone significant changes, impacting both daily lives and the nation's future. After decades of strict family planning, the government is now encouraging larger families through various incentives.

A Shift in Policy Focus

• From Control to Support: The government is offering legal, childcare, education, and maternity insurance support to encourage families to have more children.
• Policy Challenges:
• Frequent changes and lack of coordination among government departments hinder effective implementation.
• The two-child policy failed to provide sufficient incentives for larger families.

Research Findings

Researchers used mathematical models to analyze family policies, revealing:

• Two-Child Policy: Significant changes in policy statements and implementation.
• Three-Child Policy: Greater stability but still lacking clear goals and adequate support.

The Path Forward

To improve policy effectiveness, the government must:

• Ensure policy coordination among different departments.
• Provide more substantial support for families.
• Make policies more effective in achieving their goals.