China’s one-child changes
The Chinese government announced today that those among the country's 700 million rural citizens who have only one child (or two daughters) will be eligible for an annual cash stipend of 600 yuan (about $76) from the age of 60. Most rural families in China rely on their children for care in old age, and the move is meant ...
The Chinese government announced today that those among the country's 700 million rural citizens who have only one child (or two daughters) will be eligible for an annual cash stipend of 600 yuan (about $76) from the age of 60. Most rural families in China rely on their children for care in old age, and the move is meant to provide some relief for families with a weak social safety net who are strained by the one child policy. As many as 95 percent of China's elderly rural citizens report having financial difficulties, and 80 percent have no health insurance. Some are calling the move a "buy off" of the baby boom generation. Others are portraying it as further evidence of how desperate China is to curb its population explosion. Either way, with an average national life expectancy of 73 years, the idea that less than $1,000 spread over 13 years will provide relief to those most in need is a stretch.
The Chinese government announced today that those among the country's 700 million rural citizens who have only one child (or two daughters) will be eligible for an annual cash stipend of 600 yuan (about $76) from the age of 60. Most rural families in China rely on their children for care in old age, and the move is meant to provide some relief for families with a weak social safety net who are strained by the one child policy. As many as 95 percent of China's elderly rural citizens report having financial difficulties, and 80 percent have no health insurance. Some are calling the move a "buy off" of the baby boom generation. Others are portraying it as further evidence of how desperate China is to curb its population explosion. Either way, with an average national life expectancy of 73 years, the idea that less than $1,000 spread over 13 years will provide relief to those most in need is a stretch.
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