Contraception: China

Contraceptive methods are used to prevent any type of unplanned pregnancy. Methods are not used exclusively by singles, but many couples (married or in union) also use preventative measures when they are not planning for a pregnancy. Different methods of contraceptives can include: the pill, IUD, sterilization, condoms, injections, and more.

Contraceptive Methods around the world

China

China has been known to promote contraceptive methods throughout many years. This is due to the large population and growing birth rate and to try and prevent over-population. China has been known for promoting permanent contraceptive methods.In both urban and rural areas, free birth control is provided in health clinics. Although the one child policy has now been lifted, there is a lot of social pressure and heavy emphasis on getting an IUD or sterilization once you already have one child.

China Birth Control

Reproduction Rates

Originally when the population started to grow, China tried and put a cap on how many babies were born each year by implementing the one child policy. The one child policy only started phasing out in 2015, when it was originally implemented in 1978. If couples were to have a first born and the child was a girl, the government would allow them to have one more child to try and conceive a boy. If their first born was a boy, that would be their only child.

Cost and Accessibility

In order to support their one child policy, China has made birth control and contraceptive methods very accessible throughout the country. Easily accessible through rural and urban areas, health clinics are set up to have free contraceptive methods ready for people who need them.

Gender

Generally women are expected to get an IUD or sterilization and there is less pressure on males to get sterilized or use other contraceptive methods.

Statistics

Statistics show that China has one of the highest contraceptive rates in the world from women who is in union or married (84.6%).

After women have a second child, there is heavy social pressure to get permanently sterilized, and if not then it is highly recommended to receive an IUD. IUD's are more recommended because although it is not permanent like sterilization, it is promoted over other methods such as consuming pills for birth control due to a higher pregnancy rate.

For women after their second pregnancy, 40.6% get an IUD and 28.7% will get permanent sterilization to avoid another pregnancy.

China Statistics

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