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One-Child Policy and the Rise of Man-Made Twins

Author

Listed:
  • Wei Huang

    (Harvard University and NBER)

  • Xiaoyan Lei

    (National School of Development, Peking University)

  • Yaohui Zhao

    (National School of Development, Peking University)

Abstract

This paper examines an unintended response to the one-child policy in China: births of twins. Analysis of population census data shows that the one-child policy has accounted for more than one-third of the increase in the reported births of twins since the 1970s. Investigation using birth spacing with prior births and height difference within twins suggests that the increase in the birth of twins is partly due to parents reporting regularly spaced children as twins to avoid the policy violation punishment. The study highlights the possibility of individual behavioral response to undesirable government policies and the potential social consequences.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Huang & Xiaoyan Lei & Yaohui Zhao, 2016. "One-Child Policy and the Rise of Man-Made Twins," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 98(3), pages 467-476, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:98:y:2016:i:3:p:467-476
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Twins; One-Child Policy; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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