WHEN TWO ARE TOO FEW

'We want at least 2 kids, preferably 3'

Facing a fast-declining birth rate and an ageing population, China this week loosened 2016’s two-child policy to allow couples to have three children. This major shift comes as the world’s second-biggest economy deals with a shrinking workforce. But can China reverse a mindset shaped by more than three decades of the one-child policy? Asian Insider talks to three Chinese couples.

Dr Ding, 30, and her husband Dr Jia, 31, are trying for their first child. The newlyweds, who both have siblings, plan to have more than one child as they want the child to have siblings too.
Dr Ding, 30, and her husband Dr Jia, 31, are trying for their first child. The newlyweds, who both have siblings, plan to have more than one child as they want the child to have siblings too. ST PHOTO: AW CHENG WEI
Aw Cheng Wei‍ China Correspondent In Beijing
Updated
Jun 05, 2021, 05:00 AM
Published
Jun 05, 2021, 05:00 AM
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

The Jias - who are newlyweds - held their wedding banquet in January, and are now trying for their first child.

"We are open to having more children," said Dr Ding, who is hoping to be a mother soon. "We want at least two children, one boy and one girl, and if conditions allow, we will want a third child."

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

ST One Digital

 $9.90/month

No contract

ST app access on 1 mobile device

Subscribe now

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 05, 2021, with the headline 'We want at least 2 kids, preferably 3'. Subscribe

Available for
iPhones and iPads
Available in
Google Play

MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

Back to the top