Mother's mean age at first birth to keep rising: NHC

(ECNS) -- Chinese people's concept of fertility have turned to have fewer but healthier children at present and mother's mean age at first birth will continue to rise, said National Health Commission (NHC).

The NHC made the remarks when replying to a CPPCC member’s proposal suggesting the Chinese government to issue measures to encourage early marriage and childbearing.

The mean age of women at first marriage was 25.7 years old and that at first birth was 26.8 years old in 2017, both much higher than the legal age for marriage, said the NHC, citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics.

The NHC said financial burden, children's care and women's worries about employment have become the main factors restricting fertility.

The commission promised that it will improve supporting measures with relevant departments to create a good social environment for marriage and childbearing.