Locals willing to spend on household help

A recent survey has found that about half of the families who want to use housekeeping services can afford to spend at least 500 yuan ($80) a month on household help, local media reported Monday.

The survey, sponsored by the local women's federation and the Fudan University, found that there is great demand in Shanghai for housekeeping service as 20 percent of local families say that they have hired or intend to hire household help, according to a report in the Jiefang Daily.

The survey was released at the city's first housekeeping service expo, which took place over the weekend.

Of the 47.8 percent of local families willing to pay at least 500 yuan a month for household help, 13 percent said they could afford 1,000 yuan to 2,000 yuan a month, and 6 percent said that they could afford 2,000 yuan to 4,000 yuan per month.

The types of housekeeping service most in demand include taking care of young children, helping with the housework and attending to pregnant women or the elderly.

The majority of the families that have household help - about 59 percent - reported that they needed the most help with cleaning.

About 17 percent hired help for grocery shopping and cooking, and another 10 percent needed help taking care of the elderly.