Cost of second child puts couples off
Updated: 2014-11-27 16:43
(chinadaily.com.cn)
|
|||||||||||
A girl plays with her newborn brother at a hospital in Nanjing, Jiangsu province,on Oct 24. 2014. [Photo/CFP] |
The high cost of raising children forces the majority of couples eligible applying for permission to have a second child abandon their plan, a survey by the China Youth Daily found.
Of 2,052 people responding to the study, 75.1 percent said they would not apply for a permit, according to the newspaper on Thursday.
When asked the reason, 58.1 percent said they cannot afford to raise a second child.
A woman surnamed Jia in Xi'an, Shaanxi province said raising her only child already costs her and her husband 4,000 yuan ($650) a month – almost half their combined salaries. Having a second child would be too heavy a burden to bear, she said.
China amended its one-child policy in December allowing couples to have a second baby if either parent is an only child.
The National Health and Family Planning Commission said earlier this month that only 700,000 of 11 million eligible couples have filed applications, falling short of expectations.
Professor Shi Renbing, head of the Population Research Institute with China's Huazhong University of Science & Technology, said it is possible China could further relax the one-child policy if the country's fertility rate remains unchanged in the next two years.
Related Stories
Mother told to return one-child bonus 2014-11-25 16:34
China to set ceiling for abuse of one-child rule 2014-11-21 16:32
No timetable for full relaxation on one-child policy 2014-11-05 19:52
One-child subsidy must be hiked 2014-08-18 08:38
Most Chinese provincial areas relax one-child policy 2014-07-10 13:21
Today's Top News
UK brothers jailed for attending terror camp
British couple arrested on suspicion of Syria-related 'terror offences'
Lang Lang wins Spanish music award
More help sought to get fugitives back
Soccer to become required course in China's schools
E-commerce retailers' service for Black Friday
Star bucks compromise quality?
Nation mulls end of death penalty for some crimes
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Blue skies ready to greet APEC |
Growth pangs |
Sea change |
'Old newcomers' |
General aviation hub reaches for the sky |
Endangered species threatens livelihoods |