A survey released on Wednesday by the Beijing Bureau of Statistics showed that the average number of inhabitants in each household fell to 2.7 - a reduction of 0.98 people since 1982.

Officials from the bureau say that the distinguishing features of changes in family structure over the first five years of the 21 century have been reductions in the average size of close and extended family, as well as increases in the number of elders.

The number of one-generation households rose from 30.9 percent in 2000 to 39.1 percent in 2005. Meanwhile, the number of two generation families decreased by 5.9 percent during the same period.

The process of 'family miniaturization' is set to continue alongside economic development. And more single and DINK households will be set-up.

However, as reported, the number of families including an elderly member - of over 60 years of age - reached 1.5 million at the end of 2005, accounting for 28.8 percent of all families in Beijing.

Increased income and improved living conditions will provide strong conditions for the emergence of such families. And this new kind of family is set to become yet more common in the future.