Photo/Shetuwang

Sept. 7 (NBD) -- In response to requirements of the National Bureau of Statistics, many provinces conducted statistical survey on second-born children in the first half of this year, but the result was not satisfactory, the 21st Century Business Herald reported.

For example, 23 hospitals and midwifery clinics in Sichuan helped deliver 27,721 babies in the first half of 2018, a total of 1,747 less than that in the same period of last year.

Judging from the records in 16 of these 23 facilities, the number of both first-born and second-born children saw a decline. Moreover, similar findings were seen in Jiangsu, Guizhou and Tianjin, which went opposite to the optimistic expectation of birthrate for 2018. 

Yang Chenggang, president of the Institute of Population Research at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, noted as more young people are pursuing higher education, the time of their marriages and first births are postponed.

Yang elaborated child-bearing willingness for young people is low due to high opportunity cost for women and big spendings on hiring a babysitter.  

Currently, over 95 percent of infants and toddlers (0-3 years old) are typically taken care of by their grandparents as nursury schools are lacking, which indicates insufficient supporting policies, added Yang. 

Zhang Yi, director and professor of National Institute of Social Development at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, further explained that rising house price is also a key factor that discourages couples to have a baby. He suggested that measures should be taken to lower the cost of nurturing a child through curbing rising house price and providing better education and other public services.

Email: tanyuhan@nbd.com.cn