The authorities have taken such measures as part of attempts to boost the falling birth rate, Reuters noted.
To cope with a population decline that has been several years in the making, Beijing last year promised to pay an annual allowance of $500 (converted) per child and exempted childcare subsidies from income tax.
Authorities have also asked educational institutions to hold special classes to present marriage, love, family and childbirth in a positive light. In December, the country’s leadership again pledged to promote positive attitudes toward marriage and childbearing to stabilize the demographic situation.
According to Reuters, the Chinese cite the high cost of childcare and education, job uncertainty and a slowing national economy as the main obstacles to starting a family and having children.
Current policies represent a radical reversal from the principles the authorities promoted a decade ago. Between 1979 and 2015, China tried to tackle overpopulation and reduce the birth rate. The “one family, one child” policy was implemented for this purpose.
At the same time, demographers note a sharp rise in HIV incidence in China, which may be facilitated by the inaccessibility of condoms.
