BEIJING: China has announced a five-year plan to create a “childbirth-friendly society”, addressing concerns over employment, education, healthcare, income, and overall family support, according to an official government report released Thursday.
Authorities said they will improve population services and respond proactively to the challenges of an ageing population by promoting high-quality, full employment, enhancing income distribution, and refining the social security system.
The government also aims to foster positive attitudes toward marriage and childbearing and provide expanded housing support for families with children.
China’s population fell for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, with the birth rate hitting a record low, raising concerns among experts about further decline. Policymakers have made population planning a key part of the country’s economic strategy.
Beijing is expected to spend around 180 billion yuan ($25.8 billion) in 2026 on measures to boost births, including the national child subsidy and ensuring no out-of-pocket costs for women during pregnancy, covering medical expenses such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The government will continue to expand childcare subsidies and trials for subsidized childcare services, while improving support for women in early pregnancy and reproductive health, including better prevention and treatment of birth defects.
Education policies will also be enhanced, with free preschool programs and increased secondary school places, backed by government spending exceeding 4% of GDP.
China faces a rapidly ageing population, with the number of people aged 60 and above projected to reach 400 million by 2035, roughly equal to the combined populations of the US and Italy. Authorities plan to boost the “silver economy”, particularly in rural areas, expanding elderly care services, pensions, and wellness programs.
China has already raised retirement ages, requiring men to work until 63 (up from 60) and women until 58 (up from 55), as the country seeks to manage the economic impact of a shrinking workforce while supporting both young families and the elderly.
This initiative reflects China’s dual challenge of reversing population decline while ensuring sustainable economic growth amid demographic pressures.
