China has announced plans to cover all out-of-pocket expenses related to childbirth starting next year, in a major policy shift aimed at encouraging more young couples to have children. The country’s National Healthcare Security Administration said authorities are working toward eliminating personal medical costs for childbirth, including prenatal checkups, as Beijing intensifies efforts to address its declining population.

According to the administration, China aims to achieve nationwide full reimbursement for all policy-covered childbirth-related medical expenses by 2026. The goal is to improve coverage for prenatal examinations and move toward a system with “no out-of-pocket expenses” for childbirth, easing the financial burden on families considering starting or expanding households.

The decision comes as China confronts a sustained demographic downturn, with the population shrinking for the first time in decades in 2022 and continuing to fall through 2024. Experts warn that declining birth rates, a shrinking workforce, and a rapidly aging population could place additional pressure on already indebted local governments, making population-boosting measures increasingly urgent. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news details and follow us on all our social media platforms.