Quantitative Estimates of the Families Losing Only Child in China and Its Implication for Social Assistance

Wei Zhou, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
Hong Mi, Zhejiang University

Families losing only child (FLOC) have become a major concern for Chinese society. Losing their only child, the parents would basically lose all hopes in life. In order to provide necessary social assistance to the elderly of FLOC, it is important to estimate the total number of FLOCs over time. The study reveals that although the numbers of only-child families in rural areas are smaller than in urban areas, the risk of death in rural areas is higher than in urban areas. As a result, there are more FLOCs in rural areas. The study suggests that Chinese central government should increase the level of social assistance to the FLOCs and an improved the social assistance system is especially needed for the rural area which is currently much less complete than in the urban areas.