Taiwan is attempting to reverse its continuously declining birthrate, which stands at 1.16 children per woman, down from 6 children in the 1950s. The Ministry of the Interior, and Council for Economic Planning and Development has proposed awarding couples monetarily if they give birth to more than two children. The move comes at a time when China is being heavily criticized for its policy of coercive abortion and forced sterilizations. The birthrate must be at least 2.1 children per family to maintain a replacement level. [Pro-Life Infonet, 16Oct02; HLA Action News, Fall 02]
