The Modern Henan Population Study (1912-1953)

This article is about population history dating, mainly studied on modem Henan population, range from 1912(first year of Republic of China) to 1953.Basis on the study of statistical system of Henan population in Republic of China, this article focus on the statistics of Henan population each year that period with many methods, concluding the statistics of 1916 and 1935 are accurate comparatively, which can be used on study, while, based on the high quality census of 1953, the statistics of this year is reliable, that can be important reference on the study of population history in Republic of China. Accordingly, this article takes 1916,1935,1953 as standard years, to study the variation regulation of Henan population in Republic of China. This article takes the eleven administration inspection regions as study objects, to reveal the population variation of different regions in Henan more accurately.On the analysis of population density:in 1916, the population density in mountains is thinner than it in plains in Henan, which form the NW-SE line depending on population density, and most high population density counties centered in a band region east or north to the line. The population density of 1935 displays the pattern is continued, while, the population density of the counties along Longhai and Ping-Han railway line have grown clearly. To 1953, the spatial pattern of population density has major changes whole province, the population density of center cities has grown clearly, and the population density around flood area caused by the burst of Huayuankou has been rather negative impacted in the period of Anti-Japanese War. And this pattern has been lasting for a long time. Overall, the regions in which population growth clearly are the old and new centers for urban from 1916 to 1953. New centers for urban (Populated area) along Longhai and Ping-Han railway line emerged continuously, the old centers along Longhai and Ping-Han railway line can maintain the original status, while the old centers far away from the two links are comparatively fading, in addition, some mining areas have been rising, and population grows clearly. The modern urban system of Henan has shown her prototype in Republic of China.Researches on the population growth rate of all regions show:population of whole province increases 12.3%, annual growth rate is 6.1‰from 1916 to 1935. Population of whole province increases 22.9%, annual growth rate is 11.5‰from 1935 to 1953. And population of whole province increases 38%, annual growth rate is 8.7‰throughout 1916 to 1953. The counties in which population growth clearly from 1916 to 1935 are mainly centered along Longhai and Ping-Han railway line and Huaihe River, however, the growth of population is impacted negatively by successive wars, disaster and banditry. The rate of population growth is rather high generally from 1935 to 1953, except the north, the west, and the central part of Henan, which ravaged much by wars in the period of Anti-Japanese War. And the spatial pattern of population growth shows unbalance during that period.Researches on marriage, fertility and family show that, the pattern of marriage and fertility in Henan is the typically early marriage and childbearing and universal marriage. However, the married rate has rather differences in different places and periods, which influenced by the genders and age structures. Studies on the birth rate over the years show that, the registrations of birth rate are seriously low from 1912 to 1935, which are omitted generally. Analysis on the number of population per household of the counties shows that, the households of northwest and central cities in one region are comparatively large. The former is because of early marriage and childbearing, the latter is because of the higher living standard and health conditions, which cause the increasing family size.Modern health system has been built generally, provincial capital Kaifeng has better medical facilities, while, county hospital has been established, and simple health plans rural regions have been implemented. In 1916, there are the eight infectious diseases which mainly cause death in Henan. The incidence of Cholera, Smallpox, Typhoid, Diphtheria and Macula has been down in 1935. The eight infectious diseases are not the first cause of people's death in Kaifeng in 1941, which says the modern medical system has initial results in reducing the death caused by infectious diseases.The standards for classification of occupations are not unified, while farming is the main condition for people in Henan, which is always more than 80%, the emerging industries, mining, especially the coal mining industry, are prospering gradually, and employees are growing gradually, while cotton textile industry is flourishing, and has a great development in Republic of China. At the same time, the population quality and primary education develop to some extent, the literacy rate is higher in the regions north and west to Kaifeng, and the rate is lower in the regions east and south to Kaifeng. Overall, the enrollment of primary and secondary in Henan is in the middle and upper level of the whole country.Islam is the largest religion in Henan in Republic of China, while Christian develops rapidly, and the churches are set in Shangqiu and Zheng County. Mission hospital is the main part of the health care system that time, mission hospital and church school increase rapidly, the mission hospital center on the north of Henan and other center city, church schools distribute uniformly all over the province. Both the mission hospital and church school play a positive role for the health and education of Henan.Exile is helpless choice for Henan population, facing to the frequent natural disasters and banditry in the period of Republic of China. The official relief system and private charitable organizations established in the early years of Republic of China are active in organizing immigration for food in the face of local famine, while, facing to the war and famine all over the province, a large number of refugees migrate other provinces, more than ten provinces. The development of modern transport and communication system play positive role in the migration and relief for refugees.