China’s Hohhot introduces childcare subsidies and free milk for new mothers to combat declining birth rates. The initiative is part of a larger trend across more than 20 provinces aimed at encouraging marriages and childbirth amidst record-low marriage rates, influenced by past population control policies.
In an effort to address China’s declining birth rates, particularly in Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia, local officials have initiated a range of childcare subsidies. These subsidies include a daily provision of free milk for new mothers, reflecting a commitment to support families and encourage childbirth. More than 20 provinces in China are implementing similar measures to incentivize young couples to marry and raise children, stated the official Xinhua news agency.
China’s population has experienced a consecutive decline over the past three years, exacerbated by a significant reduction in marriage rates. Recent statistics show that marriages have decreased by 20%, marking the largest decline recorded. The demographic crisis is largely attributed to the longstanding one-child policy, high living costs, and rapid urban development, with couples now permitted to have up to three children since 2021.
During the annual parliament session earlier this month, Premier Li Qiang advocated for childcare subsidies and free preschool education as strategies to elevate the birth rate. An action plan for enhancing domestic consumption also emphasized the need for a systematic approach to childcare subsidies.
Hohhot’s subsidy initiative includes a one-time payment of 10,000 yuan (approximately $1,382) for families with their first child. For a second child, families will receive 10,000 yuan annually until the child reaches five. The subsidy continues with an annual allowance of 10,000 yuan for a third child until they turn ten, amounting to approximately double the local average income.
Additionally, Hohhot has launched the “One Cup of Milk Fertility Care Action for Mothers,” providing a cup of milk daily for mothers who give birth post-March 1. Benefitting mothers will also receive an electronic voucher valued at 3,000 yuan from Yili and China Mengniu Dairy, aimed at further supporting their health in the critical postnatal period.
China is proactively addressing its demographic challenges through comprehensive childcare subsidies, particularly in Hohhot. The initiatives encompass financial incentives for families and the provision of free milk for new mothers. As a national response to declining birth rates, these measures reflect a significant shift in policy aimed at rebalancing the population dynamics in response to past restrictions and current socio-economic demands.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
