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

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Listed:
  • Huang, Wei

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Lei, Xiaoyan

    (Peking University)

  • Zhao, Yaohui

    (Peking University)

Abstract

This paper investigates how people respond to the distorted incentives of One-Child Policy by examining its impact on twin births in China. The analysis using population census data shows that the One-Child Policy accounts for more than one-third of the increase in twin births since the 1970s. Further investigation finds that the One-Child Policy is associated with a larger birth gap of twins with prior births and greater height difference between twins. These findings suggest that the increase in twin births can partly be explained by parents registering single children as twins in order to avoid the policy violation punishment.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Wei & Lei, Xiaoyan & Zhao, Yaohui, 2014. "One-Child Policy and the Rise of Man-Made Twins," IZA Discussion Papers 8394, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp8394
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    China; one-child policy; twins;
    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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