A vast majority - a staggering 90 percent - of the post-1980 generation believes it is incapable of supporting parents, according to a recent survey, which polled 1,612 people born in or after 1980.

The survey was conducted by the social research center of China Youth Daily via two major websites, minyi.net.cn and hudong.com.

About 40 percent of the respondents claimed to be the only child.

Nearly 74 percent of those polled said that their workload is so overwhelming that they are unable to take out time for their parents.

About half of the respondents said they live away from their parents and cannot afford to bring them into their house at present.

More than 40 percent said the disparity in social security and medical care in different cities makes it difficult for them to support their parents.

However, according to Wang Daben, a professor at the China Population and Development Research Center in the East China Normal University, supporting parents in the country's urban areas is not as difficult as it seems to the younger generation.

"The endowment insurance now covers most cities. So, youngsters who live in urban areas shouldn't feel too stressed, for the insurance will cover most of the basic costs of their parents," said Wang.

"But as for the rural areas, the insurance has not been widely promoted. It is up to the government to come up with more measures to help youngsters support their parents."

A 28-year-old woman surnamed Wang, who is currently working as a general secretary with Ernst & Young in Shanghai, said she does not feel any pressure as such.

"Although my mother is retired, my father is still working. And even when he retires, both their pensions would suffice," said Wang.

"But if my family had housing loans, it would be a completely different story.

"My parents don't like being in debt, so there is no such burden on us at present. They would be able to live just fine without my support."

Wang Yin, who makes about 5,000 yuan (US$735) a month working in IT sales, also feels her parents would be able to manage without her financial support.

"Both my parents are retired. But their pensions, together with their savings, are enough to meet their basic needs," said Wang. "But things might be different after I get married. The loans to buy a house and cars are very likely to exert some pressure on me."

China's aging population is on the fast track, as the number of people above the age of 60 is growing, said Li Baoku, chairman of China Aging Development Foundation.

It is predicted that people over 60 years of age will account for more than 30 percent of the country's total population by 2050.

(China Daily September 3, 2010)