Report: New look at population control

Administrative measures such as household registration and social security systems cannot fundamentally solve the problem that too many people want to move to China's megacities, according to a report published by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences on Wednesday, China News Service reported.

The administrative measures only resulted in lowered social welfare for the migrant population, it said.

The report focuses on difficulties caused by the huge populations of the major cities.

The report questioned some governments' use of administrative methods to control the population.

Beijing's population increased from 14 million in 2000 to 20 million in 2010, despite a strict household registration system. The growth demonstrates the failure of administrative measures, the report said.

Governments should apply market rules, and strengthen infrastructure construction in the megacities and surrounding areas to improve public service and management capability, as well as the inhabitants' quality of life.