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Comprehensive measures to encourage more births were rolled out on Tuesday to boost China’s population growth and address the challenges posed by falling fertility rates and an increasing number of aging people.
Seventeen government departments — including the National Health Commission, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development — released a guideline on Tuesday to boost fertility across the country.
The new guideline will implement the national policy of allowing all couples to have three children, up from two, which was released in May last year.
The guideline said more supportive measures will be provided in matters such as insurance, housing, education, employment and tax deductions. The aim is to create a friendly atmosphere to raise children in order to reach balanced population development.
All counties, cities and provinces are required to set up at least one government-funded maternity and child care institution to improve the welfare of pregnant women and newborn babies.
More low-cost nursing services will also be provided. Tailored campaigns to build more cheaper nursery services, such as day care and kindergartens, are being promoted. This would include public-funded services and the private facilities that receive public funding.
Employers are encouraged to offer employees child care services as a work benefit. Kindergartens are encouraged to admit younger children who are from 2 to 3 years old.
