China introduces childcare subsidy system in push for population growth

11/9/2025 17:17

China has introduced a national childcare subsidy system starting this year, as part of efforts to improve the childbirth support system and promote high-quality population development, the country's top health official said on Thursday.



As of Wednesday, over 80 percent of eligible applicants had completed registration through online and offline channels, Lei Haichao, head of the National Health Commission(NHC), told a press conference on the country's progress in the health sector during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).



From Jan. 1 this year, families will receive an annual childcare subsidy of 3,600 yuan per child -- whether for a first, second, or third child -- until the child turns three, according to a plan issued earlier by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.



Economic support in childcare has been expanded in multiple areas over the five-year period. Childcare for children under three and children's education have been included in additional deductions for individual income tax, with the deduction standard raised from 1,000 yuan per child per month to 2,000 yuan, said Guo Yanhong, deputy head of the NHC.