DEMOGRAPHIC PERSPECTIVES ON CHINA AND INDIA

This paper compares levels and trends of population growth rates, age and sex composition, mortality, and fertility including family plannin g practices in the world's two most populous countries, China and Indi a. Both countries are undergoing demographic transition but China is n earer than India to achieving a stationary population. Fertility in Ch ina has declined below replacement level while in India it is nearly o ne and a half children per woman above replacement level. Both countri es have achieved large reductions in mortality but life expectancy at birth in China is currently about 10 years longer than in India. Both countries have young populations but China will. precede India in the aging of population structure during the 21st century.