
Heartbreaking images show the human cost of China's economic growth, with an estimated 60 million children left behind by their parents.

The legions of under 17s are often looked after by their grandparents in impoverished rural areas, as their parents leave to work in the country's cities.

A survey by the National Health and Family Planning Commission published last year found that there are 61 million 'left behind children' across China.

While many cities like Beijing rely on workers migrating from the countryside, municipal authorities often do not provide basic provisions such as schooling or healthcare for their children.

This means it is impossible for families to stay together, the South China Morning Post reported, and experts fear this is doing long term psychological damage to children.

In some provinces, including Anhui, Henan and Sichuan, 44 per cent of children live without their mother or father, according to official figures.

A class of children listen to their teacher. In rural areas of China, an estimated 44 per cent of youngsters live without their parents

'Left behind' child Luo Lie, five, picks flowers as he does chores in the fields with his siblings in the rural province of Anshun

A group of children stand at the gates to a local school in Anshun, where millions of Chinese children are left behind as their parents go to work in the cities

Groups of children queue with containers of rice. Like millions across China, they rarely see their parents, who are away working in urban areas

The tragedy behind the economic boom: Young Luo Hongniu, aged eight, is being raised by his grandparents in the rural province of Anshun

Luo Gan, aged 10, is served lunch at a local school. He is one of an estimated 61 million children whose parents work in urban areas

'Left behind' child Luo Hongniu, eight (centre) washes clothes with brother Luo Gan, 10, and sister Luo Hongni, 11 (right) outside the family house in Anshun

Luo Lie, aged five, does eye exercises with classmates at his local school, where more than four out of every 10 are 'left behind' children

Experts fear the trend causes loneliness, anxiety and poor schooling for the children who lack parental contact

Grandmother Lu Guoxiu, 64, rubs warm water on the throat of grandson 'left behind' child Luo Lie, aged five

Growing problem: Luo Gan, aged 10, tends to family cows as he does chores with his siblings in the rural province of Anshun, which is one of the worst affected places

Grandfather Luo Yingtao, 64, sits with his grandchildren Luo Gan, 10, and Luo Hongniu, 8, right, who are 'left behind' at the family house

'Left behind' child Luo Lie, five, keeps warm by a fire in the family home. He is one of millions of children whose parents have migrated to urban areas

In some provinces, including Anhui, Henan and Sichuan, 44 per cent of children live without their mother or father, according to official figures

Luo Hangni, 11, does exercises with classmates at a local school in Anshun, China

Experts fear being left behind has lasting effects on young children, with more than 60 million living apart from their parents most of the year

Lack of services in major cities in China mean that many parents chose to migrate without their children, creating a generation raised by their grandparents

'Left behind' child Luo Hongniu, eight, hangs laundry after washing clothes with her siblings

In some of the worst affected areas, four out of 10 children are left behind by their parents in rural China

Siblings Luo Lie, five (right) and sister Luo Hongniu, eight, with grandmother Lu Guoxiu, 64, sit around a cooking fire to stay warm

'Left behind' child Luo Hongni, 11, collapses from the weight as she carries flowers while doing chores in the fields in Anshun, China

'Left behind' child Luo Gan, 10(centre), stays warm by a fire at the family house

While there are no official figures, a recent government report puts the number of 'left behind' children at nearly 10 million, though child welfare experts estimate the number to be closer to 60 million

Grandfather Luo Yingtao, 64, sits next to his grandson 'left behind' child Luo Lie, five, as he puts him to bed at the family house in Anshun, China

'Left behind' children Luo Hongni, 11 (left) and brother Luo Gan,10, carry flowers to be used as feed while doing chores in the fields