More than 11 million couples in China are eligible to have a second child, but only 13 percent or one and a half million of them have shown interest as of June 1, according to a government report.

The Straits Times reported that the number of qualified couples applying to have a child has been increasing for two straight years. Couples are eligible to have a second child in China if one or both of them is an only child, according to National Health and Family Planning Commission official Yang Wenzhuang.

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Usually less than a hundred thousand eligible parents seek government permit to have another child every month. But in July and August last year, the number of application surged to 150,000, according to Yang.

The Family Planning official explained that the usually lengthy procedures involved in registering for a second has been shortened.

Chinese authorities estimate that the number of parents who are eligible for a second child have approximately reached 11 million. More than 7 million of those qualified parents were born in the 90s, according to China Daily.

About 40 years ago, Chinese authorities introduced the One Child Policy in order to reduce the number of its citizens. Parents in the cities were allowed to have only one child. Meanwhile parents in the rural areas were usually allowed up to two children provided that the first born is a girl.

Family planning officials say the result of the new Two Child Policy will be felt in about five years. Chinese authorities will then be able to gauge its success or if there is a need to make some modifications in their latest family planning policy.

In Shanghai, only five percent of the qualified women in the city showed interest in having another child. While the local government is encouraging prospective parents to conceive another baby, most have reportedly opted not to do so because of financial concerns.

The child birth rate in China has dropped to 1.6 births per woman. However, experts say the ideal birth rate should be 2.1 births per woman if the country would like to maintain its population.

Authorities in Shanghai would like to see an increase in the number of children being born in the city. In the year 2020, more than 30 percent of Shanghai residents will be the elderly or above the age of 60.  

TagsNational Health and Family Planning Commission, chinese family planning, China One Child Policy