Many Chinese Couples Apply to Have Second Child After One-Child Policy Ease

Chinese health authorities estimated 2 million applications for permission to have a second child will be made each year, but expect this number to rise in 2015.

MOSCOW, January 12 (Sputnik) — Over 1 million Chinese couples have applied for permission to have a second child since the country’s one-child policy was eased in November 2013, the National Health and Family Planning Commission spokesperson said Monday.

Mao Qunan was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post that national health authorities estimated 2 million applications will be made each year, but expect this number to rise in 2015.

Mao added that the data would be used to improve healthcare services for pregnant women and their babies.

The one-child policy was introduced in China in 1979 to reduce the country’s population growth rate. China is the world’s most populous country, with a population of almost 1.4 billion people. However, according to the Pew Research Center, almost a third of the population will be over the age of 65 in 2050.

The standing committee of China’s National People's Congress passed a resolution in late 2013 that allows couples to apply for permission to have a second child if one of the parents is an only child.