China

In the last decade of the 20th century, China had the largest population in the world. Chinas population in 1996 was about a fifth (1.22 billion) of the world population. Chinas population was estimated to be 42 time the population of Canada. In the last two decades of the 20th century, the Chinese government started implementing strategies aimed at increasing the gross National Product up to four times and limiting the population growth. This strategy was appropriate. Since the strategies started being implemented in the late 1970s, China has developed both socially and economically at a very high rate. However, the strategies to limit the population have not been effective with the population increasing to 1.275 by the end of the 20th century. 
   
The world has response to the population control strategies in China has been very diverse. Some scholars and administrators believe that the Chinese strategies were the most successful as compared to other developing countries. The strategies have been approved by the united nation and some scholars. However, the strategies have also been criticized by the developed world, religious leaders and civil rights activists for being inhumane, unfortunate and coercive   

There are various problems associated with the study of Chinese population control strategies. Most sociologists analyze the Chinese population in terms of controls, policies and their implementation, problems and urbanization. They do not go beyond the current situation and look at the history and development of the Chinese society. Chinese society has a very long history and therefore the traditional policies and thoughts about population have a very large impact on the current situation. These studies are limited by assuming the Chinese society is similar to other society in other parts of the world.