What was a positive effect of China's one-child policy?

• A. Increase in employment
• B. Rate of population growth declined
• C. Improvement in healthcare
• D. Reduction in poverty levels

Answer: (B)

The one-child policy, which was implemented in China in 1979 to control the rapidly growing population, resulted in a significant decline in the rate of population growth. This reduction has had broad implications for the country. First, it helped alleviate the burden on resources and infrastructure, which were becoming increasingly strained due to a rapidly expanding population. By curbing population growth, the policy aimed to improve the overall standard of living by allowing for a better allocation of resources per capita.

Additionally, a slower rate of population growth has contributed to advancements in economic development and modernization. With fewer dependents, families often had more resources to invest in each child's education and well-being, leading to a more educated workforce in the long term. The decline in population growth has also enabled the government to implement policies that focus on quality of life improvements rather than merely accommodating a growing number of citizens.

While the other options such as increases in employment, improvements in healthcare, or reductions in poverty levels could be influenced or correlated to varying degrees with population control methods, the most direct and measurable outcome of the one-child policy is clearly the notable decline in the rate of population growth.