Q.Read the given text carefully and answer the following questions : In response to the problem of rapidly rising population, China introduced the ‘One Child Policy’. The policy restricted couples to having only one child. This policy helped China to limit the population growth. This policy led to significant consequences, such as an increase ageing population, gender imbalances due to male child preference and social challenges for single children, etc. This policy was relaxed in 2015, allowing all couples to have two children and further relaxed to three children in 2021. Overall, while the One Child Policy achieved its primary goal of controlling population growth, it also created a complex set of demographic and social challenges that China continues to address today.

The question asks for consequences of China's One Child Policy and one reason for its implementation, based on the passage provided.

(a) Consequences of the One Child Policy

The passage identifies three major consequences that followed from restricting couples to a single child.

First, China experienced an ageing population. With fewer young people being born while life expectancy remained stable or improved, the proportion of elderly citizens rose sharply. This created pressure on pension systems, healthcare infrastructure, and the working-age population that must support retirees.

Second, gender imbalances emerged due to a cultural preference for male children. In a society where families could have only one child, many opted for sons over daughters, leading to a skewed sex ratio with significantly more males than females in certain age cohorts. This imbalance has social repercussions including difficulty in finding marriage partners. …

(a) Consequences of the One Child Policy

The One Child Policy, while effective at slowing population growth, set off a chain of demographic and social disruptions that reshaped China's economy and society.

Ageing Population and Dependency Burden

By restricting births for over three decades, China compressed its fertility rate sharply. Fewer young people entered the workforce while earlier generations aged into retirement. The result is a rapidly rising old-age dependency ratio: fewer workers must now support a growing number of elderly citizens through pensions, healthcare, and social services. This inverts the traditional demographic dividend—where a large working-age population drives growth—into a demographic liability.

Gender Imbalances

Cultural preference for male children, combined with the one-child limit, led many families to sex-selective practices. The sex ratio at birth skewed heavily male, creating a "missing women" phenomenon. Decades later, millions of men face difficulty finding marriage partners, which strains social stability and has implications for future fertility even after policy relaxation.

Social and Psychological Pressures on Single Children

The so-called "4-2-1" problem emerged: one child must eventually care for two parents and four grandparents. This places immense financial and emotional pressure on individuals, often called "little emperors" due to concentrated family attention. The lack of siblings also removes traditional family support networks, intensifying isolation and stress.

Shrinking Workforce and Economic Growth Concerns

A smaller cohort of young workers entering the labor market threatens China's manufacturing competitiveness and innovation capacity. The working-age population has already begun to contract, raising concerns about sustaining economic growth and funding social security systems. …