China will cover all expenses associated with childbirth.

(CLO) China will cover all expenses associated with childbirth to encourage young couples to have more children.

According to an announcement by China's National Health Security Administration, by 2026, China aims to reimburse 100% of medical expenses covered by insurance related to childbirth nationwide, including routine prenatal checkups.

A report published on December 13 stated that the program aims to “improve the level of medical coverage for routine prenatal checkups, with the goal of eliminating out-of-coverage costs during childbirth.”

Illustration photo: Unsplash

The new policy comes as China is implementing measures to address its declining population. The country's population declined for the first time in decades in 2022 and is expected to continue to fall between 2023 and 2024.

Demographers predict that this trend is likely to continue, given the persistently low birth rate, shrinking workforce, and rapidly aging population, which are putting further pressure on socio -economic systems and local budgets.

China's birth rate has declined for decades, impacted by the one-child policy implemented between 1980 and 2015, along with rapid urbanization. In addition, high childcare and education costs, as well as factors related to employment and economic prospects, have led many young people to delay marriage and having children.

Before the nationwide policy was implemented, some localities such as Jilin, Jiangsu, and Shandong had already issued measures to reduce the cost of childbirth to very low levels.

In March, China announced it would proactively implement policies to address its aging population and support the younger generation, including childcare subsidies and free preschool education.

In recent years, the Chinese government has also extended maternity leave, implemented financial and tax incentives, and introduced housing support policies to encourage couples to have children.

Source: https://congluan.vn/trung-quoc-se-chi-tra-toan-bo-chi-phi-phat-sinh-cho-viec-sinh-con-10322655.html