As China moves towards reporting its first population decline in decades, cities across the country are planning incentives to encourage couples to have more children, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.
The news report cited a document published by the health commission of the Chinese city of Shenzhen. The document, released Tuesday, says couples who have three or more children will be eligible for a 19,000 yuan ($2,800) cash allowance.
The document, which seeks public opinion, says that the payments for having the first and second child will be 7,500 and 11,000 yuan respectively.
China has long had the label of being the most populous country on Earth. But the last few decades have seen a strict enforcement of the ‘One Child Policy’. This has not only reduced the rate of population growth, but has even caused a contraction for the first time in decades.
The last time China’s population declined was in 1960-61. This was due to the impact of the Great Famine. The population decreased by about 10 million in 1960 and by another 3.4 million in 1961.
In January 2016, China relaxed its one-child policy and introduced a three-child policy in May 2021. This move was taken taking into account the declining birth rate in the country, which is expected to weigh significantly on the country’s economy in the coming decades.
In addition to the city of Shenzhen, the city of Jinan encourages couples to have more children. Mothers who give birth to a second and third child this year will receive a child care subsidy of 600 yuan each month until the child turns three.
In Yichang city, Hubei province, eligible families with two or more children will receive a 500 yuan subsidy.
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