On the other hand, signs of development in the Indian economy - especially economic growth in the advanced regions in the southern area - is expected to promote reduction of birth-rate.
The decrease in birth-rate in China, the world's most populous nation, has been so remarkable that the success has even provoked suspicion. The People's Republic of China after the 1949 Liberation was a socialist state where socialistic ideas impeded the spread of family planning. Notwithstanding, the Government, being aware of the serious possible impact of the population expansion on its food supply and economic growth, promoted the "Two Children" policy, and in 1979 finally introduced an "Only Child" policy that astonished the world. Through thorough administrative directives, persuasion of the people by advertisement and by education, and the people's consensus, the country's efforts to reduce the birth-rate has been a great success. The total fertility rate has fallen below the replacement level recently, reaching 1.92 (ref. 1990-1995, United Nations). Economic growth has maintained a level of about 10% in recent years.
It is estimated that the Chinese population will reach 1,516 million in 2050, and that that of India will exceed the former to amount to 1,532 million in the same year. The behavior of the two population giants, with different religions, races, and cultures, and with a total population of 3,050 million, is expected to have significant knock-on effect in the world as well as in Asia.
