My folks always told me you don't get money for nothing. Or maybe it was Dire Straits. It was someone. Anyway, it turns out that in China that's not true. As part of China's ongoing population policy they are now starting to pay people for not having kids. The policy is aimed at farmers who had no children born between 1973 and 2001 in violation of state policies and regulations; they have one child, two girls or no children; (and) they are at least 60 years old. One child or two girls - you read that right. Those who qualify get an annual payment of 600 yuan, a significant sum for many in rural areas.

Ironically in places such as Singapore and Australia they are paying to have kids. If immigration limits were eased then all these Governments could save taxpayer money and population balances could be brought more into line.