Being one of the most populous countries in the world, China has had to deal with overpopulation and housing issues. As a result, they have created policy solutions that have helped them successfully address urbanization and overcrowding. Though these policies are effective, it is important to note that not every country should adopt China’s policies for housing. Because each country is unique and faces different challenges, it’s best to explore which policies will work best for the specific population and needs of each country. Let’s examine how China has effectively addressed its population growth through housing policy.
China’s population is expected to grow by 25 million people by 2030.
There’s one more reason why China has been able to build so much housing so quickly: it has a lot of people. China’s population is expected to grow by 25 million people by 2030, which means that even if there is no new housing built in the country, there will still be around 300 million more people living in urban areas than there are today.
To put that number into perspective for the United States, consider that our population growth rate over the next 12 years will be about 13 percent less than what China is expecting over just six years. That gives us a total increase in our urban population of somewhere between 20 and 30 million people — a little less than half of what China expects from its own expansion alone. So while we may not have any lessons to learn from Russia or Australia on how to use temporary modular units for mass housing development (or anywhere else), maybe we should be looking at what these countries are doing differently when it comes to providing affordable homes for their residents?
Singapore is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, and its population density is the highest in Southeast Asia.
Singapore is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, and its population density is the highest in Southeast Asia. Singapore’s population density is expected to increase by 20 percent by 2030, with a projected total of 6.9 million people living there by then — and that’s not even counting tourists or temporary residents like those who work at casinos or cruise ships.
Singapore has implemented many policies that could help other countries control their own housing costs. For example, it requires all new homes to have sufficient ventilation and natural lighting through windows or skylights; it also limits each house to no more than four stories high (although some residential areas have been given exceptions). These rules help keep construction costs down while still allowing for enough space for families’ needs.
The One Child Policy has contributed to a growing dependency ratio amongst aging citizens.
I don’t think so.
This is the overly simplified conclusion reached by Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator at the Financial Times. In his book “The Shifting Axis of Economics,” he writes: “The one child policy has caused a growing dependency ratio among ageing citizens.” He argues that population aging is an issue in China, as well as in other countries with declining fertility rates. China’s dependency ratio — the number of working-age people compared to those who are not in the labor force — is expected to rise from 0.39 today to 0.46 by 2030, which would be the highest in the world if it were a country unto itself according to a study conducted by United Nations demographers and economists at Princeton University (PDF).
It is estimated that Singapore needs around 27,000 new housing units per year to meet demand.
You might be wondering how many houses an average country needs to build each year. Here’s the answer: 27,000.
Yes, that’s right. It’s not exactly a number you can work with without some sort of supporting data, which is why I’m here to help you understand what it means for Singapore (and other densely populated countries) in this post!
Singapore is one of the most densely populated countries in the world and has a population density higher than any other Southeast Asian nation. According to research conducted by National University of Singapore economist Teo Siong Seng, Singapore needs around 27,000 new housing units per year just to meet domestic demand — the majority of which come from foreign workers or expatriates living within its borders. This adds up quickly when you consider just how many people live in Singapore: around 5 million people live there now (and another 1 million commute daily), making it one of Asia’s most populous cities after Tokyo and Seoul.[1]
China’s urban population was at 48 percent in 2010 and is expected to reach 55 percent by 2030.
China’s urban population was 48 percent in 2010 and is expected to reach 55 percent by 2030. It’s expected to reach 60 percent by 2050 and 70 percent by 2100.
What does that mean? Well, it depends on who you ask. If you’re a Chinese government official, this trend represents the inevitable rise of an urbanized society with all its attendant benefits: higher living standards, better access to credit and housing, better job opportunities for young people — you name it! But if you’re a concerned citizen who doesn’t live in one of China’s large cities (or any city at all), this trend may seem less appealing.
China’s population will age rapidly over the next 20 years.
China’s labor force is expected to shrink by 10 million workers by 2030.
China’s population will age rapidly over the next 20 years. According to the United Nations, China is projected to have the most retirees in 2030 with 95 million people aged 65 or older. And by 2050, China’s working-age population is expected to drop by around 100 million people due to declining fertility rates and aging populations.
In comparison, Singapore has a much younger population than its neighbors in Southeast Asia; however, it’s still not immune from an aging workforce: Between 2015 and 2020, Singapore’s median age will rise from 30 years old to 31 years old — and from 2040 onward that number will continue rising steadily through 2065.
Today, Singapore boasts one of the highest homeownership rates in Asia. In the end, it’s hard to imagine that any country would want to emulate China’s policy of restricting home ownership. Singapore has a high homeownership rate — about 80% of Singaporeans own their homes — and its government touts this figure as one of its greatest accomplishments. But perhaps it is too high for some people’s tastes: The city-state has also been criticized for having too many foreign workers and immigrants who occupy public housing units meant for natives.
The government offers tax incentives for developers building private homes and resale flats, and provides subsidies for low-income housing buyers.
The government offers tax incentives for developers building private homes and resale flats, and provides subsidies for low-income housing buyers.
In China, the government has been subsidizing a lot of home ownership. It’s been providing tax breaks to developers who build houses, and then it also subsidizes people who buy those houses as well.
No two countries are alike, and what works for one may not work for another.
No two countries are alike, and what works for one may not work for another. Singapore’s population is smaller than China’s, and its population is more urbanized; its housing market has more expensive houses than China’s — the average square foot price of a new apartment in Singapore was $1,200 USD in 2016, compared with $143 USD in 2015.
Conclusion
We’ll leave you with the following thought: if it’s true that necessity is the mother of invention, then any country facing a population crisis will probably have to follow China’s lead and find ways to make housing more affordable.
