Higher birth rate would ease burden of old-age care

The National Health and Family Planning Commission announced on July 10 that it was considering whether to allow all couples to have a second child, which is a welcome move even though the top family planning body has not decided on any timetable.

However, there has been no significant change in people's desire to have two children even after family planning rules were changed to allow couples in which one is an only child to have a second child. This suggests that even if the authorities allow all couples to have a second child, the increase in the birth rate would still be limited.

Recent years' statistics show the birth rate continues to be sluggish. This suggests China is likely to remain in the "low fertility trap" irrespective of the authorities easing the overall family planning policy. Perhaps the main reason even eligible couples don't want to have a second child is the rising costs of raising and educating a child. The falling birth rate, therefore, should draw the attention of the authorities.