Law of Population under Socialism, an economic law reflecting the relationship between growing public wealth, on the one hand, and the full employment and rational utilisation of the entire able-bodied population in social production and the steady rise of the material and cultural standards of the mass of the people, on the other. The socialist law of population is inseparably linked with public ownership of the means of production and with the subordination of production to the interests of society as a whole. Growing public wealth under socialism steadily raises the well-being of all members of society, expands the possibilities for drawing the population into social production and ensures its more effective utilisation. Unde. socialism, society guarantees all its ablebodied members work in accordance with their abilities, educational level and vocational training, due account being taken of social needs. The constant and planned utilisation of a certain part of the surplus product for the needs of accumulation leads to further extended reproduction, which makes it possible to increase the extent to which the people’s growing requirements are met and to ensure the growth of manpower resources in the country’s economy. The rational utilisation of the population presupposes a correct and economically justified redistribution of labour force between enterprises, sectors and economic regions. Technical progress, the comprehensive mechanisation and automation of production facilitate and radically transform the work of millions of people, raise its productivity and create the conditions for cutting the length of the working day and for eliminating the essential distinctions between mental and physical labour. Rising labour productivity in material production brings about structural changes in the distribution of the labour force between the economic sectors and the productive and non- productive spheres (see Non-Production Sphere; Production Sphere). Socialist expanded reproduction (see Reproduction, Socialist) ensures the planned training and retraining of personnel. The state shows constant concern for the harmonious physical and intellectual development of the workers, the mother and child care, raising a healthy younger generation and creating 196 favourable conditions for natural population growth. In this way it creates the most beneficial conditions for expanded reproduction of the workers, the key productive force.