Routledge Dictionary of Economics, Second Edition
Co-ordinated government measures to achieve a desired size, structure and rate of growth of population. Many population policies regard the birth rate as the key control variable as it is the major cause of rapid population growth or decline. If population growth is outstripping a country’s economic development, as in China, birth control and rules on the maximum family size are introduced.
If population decline is of concern to a country, e.g. because of a shortage of young men to maintain the size of a national army, fiscal inducements including lower taxes are offered to increase average family size. Whatever the rate of growth of population, there are often policies to change the geographical distribution of population in order to equalize population density between regions, e.g. the creation of NEW TOWNS in the UK.
See also: regional policy
References
United Nations (1982) World Population Trends and Policies: 1981 Monitoring Report, Vols 1 and II, New York: United Nations.
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