One-child policy change in China won't result in baby boom, experts say

Nov. 17 (UPI) -- China may be relaxing its three-decade-old one-child policy, but experts say that doesn't mean the country's in store for a baby boom any time soon.

The Communist Party of China ruled Friday that couples in which one partner has no siblings may now have two children instead of one.

Since the easing of the rule is so limited, demographers and policymakers don't expect a large influx of new babies, Fox News reported.

"A baby boom can be safely ruled out," said Wang Feng, professor of sociology at the University of California Irvine.

Couples in which both spouses are without siblings have been able to have a second child for a while now, and even some of them are opting to have just one baby.

"Young people's reproductive desires have changed," Feng said.

Under the new policy, Xia Gaolong and his wife are now eligible to have a second child, but they agreed it wouldn't be the best choice for them with the high cost of living and overcrowding in schools.

"No way will I have another child," said Xia. "There are so many pressures in life in today's society, and our children will only face more pressures."

Officials estimate the policy change will result in 1 million to 2 million extra births per year in the first few years, adding to the 16 million babies already born each year in China.

[Fox News]