China's one-child policy has been a major cornerstone of every Chinese couple. This law, which was made effective on Sept. 1980 by the Communist Party, declared a restriction of "one child per couple" with the intention of keeping the Chinese population below 1.2 billion at the end of the century.
Now, 30 years later, experts say that this same law is causing the population to age quickly. With nothing to counteract this imbalance, statistics show that one-fourth of China's population will be senior citizens by 2030.
The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences released a report last week illustrating China's diminishing fertility rate, which will eventually lead to drastic population decline. The report is calling for the lifting of all restrictions as soon as possible.
In Nov. 2013 after a Central Committee meeting, the Chinese government finally acknowledged the population crisis. Responding to pressures coming from experts and in desperation of the impending crisis, the government eased the one-child policy and initiated several exemptions to the law. Included in these exemptions are new rules allowing for a second child if one of the couple is an only child.
The campaign to make more babies was received by the people with cold reaction. Chinese couples replied with indifference, citing additional expenses for every new household member. Out of 11 million couples eligible for a second child, only 800,000 have used their privileges, again citing "high cost."
A survey released last month by the China Youth Daily revealed that more than half of the respondents did not apply for a second child also due to high economic costs.