With low birth rates and an aging population, China's largest metropolis, Shanghai, looks set to receive a shot of much-needed growth.

China Daily, reported that Shanghai maintains a low birth rate - less than 1 child per family on average while residents above the age of 60 now account for more than 10 percent of the entire population.

The newspaper quoted a Shanghai University sociology professor as explaining that many young couples have changed traditional attitudes about having children.

They often mention the high cost of raising a child as a reason for not having one as healthcare, education and housing are all costly, said the newspaper.

But to the relief of the Shanghai's population planner, the city saw a slight population increase last year when about 160,000 babies were born, up 20 percent from the previous year.

And the upcoming Beijing Olympics this year is seen as fueling another baby boom across the country since many couples want their children to be born during this auspicious time.

At the same time, experts say the 6.6 million migrant workers who work in Shanghai as construction workers, maids, shop and restaurant attendants and vegetable sellers, have partly contributed to these rising numbers.

The newspaper reported that the city of Shanghai introduced a series of preferential policies last year for pregnant wives of migrant workers to give birth at a cost of as low as 800 yuan, or a little more than 100 US dollars.