The Ming Dynasty, as an important feudal dynasty in Chinese history, has always been a focus of scholarly research regarding its population size. Due to the strict household registration system implemented by the Ming Dynasty, which managed the population through means such as the "Yellow Registers" and "Fish Scale Registers," relatively detailed population records were left behind. Based on historical data, this article will explore the average population size of a county and the overall national population scale during the Ming Dynasty.

I. The Household Registration System of the Ming Dynasty

Before delving into the population data of the Ming Dynasty, it is necessary to understand the basic situation of its household registration system. The Ming Dynasty's household registration system required a census to be conducted every ten years, with the results recorded in the "Yellow Registers." These records provide us with valuable primary data, helping us to understand the population situation at that time.

II. Population Size of a County

According to historical documents, the population size of a county in the Ming Dynasty was influenced by various factors, including geographical location, economic development level, and natural disasters. Generally speaking, larger counties may have had tens of thousands of people, while smaller counties may have only had a few thousand. For example, according to the "History of the Ming Dynasty," the Jinjiang County in Fujian Province had over 49,000 households and over 240,000 people during the Wanli period. However, smaller counties in mountainous or remote areas may have had only a few thousand residents.

III. The Overall National Population Scale of the Ming Dynasty

During its heyday, the Ming Dynasty's national population reached unprecedented levels. According to the "History of the Ming Dynasty," by the Chongzhen period at the end of the Ming Dynasty, the national population had exceeded 100 million. This figure was quite astonishing at that time in the global context. The population growth of the Ming Dynasty benefited from a stable social environment, agricultural development, and commercial prosperity.

IV. Conclusion

The population size of the Ming Dynasty reflects the prosperity of its socio-economy and the effectiveness of governance. Through understanding the Ming Dynasty's household registration system and analyzing the population data at the county and national levels, we can conclude that the Ming Dynasty indeed had a large population base. This, on the one hand, provided abundant labor resources for the economic development of the Ming Dynasty, and on the other hand, posed challenges to social stability, food supply, and other aspects. The population management experience of the Ming Dynasty still has some reference significance for today's population policy formulation.

　　Disclaimer: The above content is sourced from the internet and the copyright belongs to the original author. If there is any infringement of your original copyright, please inform us and we will delete the relevant content as soon as possible.