Download App

[State Council Information Office: New Progress in Continuously Enriching and Improving the Policy Toolbox for Fertility Support] In terms of economic support, we are reducing the costs of childbirth, raising children, and educating them through multiple channels. We are including the cost of childcare for infants under three years old in the special additional deduction for individual income tax, raising the deduction standard to 2,000 yuan per child per month. We are also increasing coverage for childbirth medical expenses, expanding maternity insurance coverage, and providing direct maternity benefits to individuals. These measures have all been very effective. Regarding time support, we are further improving the maternity leave system. All provinces (autonomous regions, and municipalities) have generally extended maternity leave to 158 days or more. We are also establishing approximately 15 days of accompanying leave for spouses and 5 to 20 days of parental leave. Regarding childcare services, we are further improving the childcare system, increasing the provision of universal childcare services, vigorously promoting integrated childcare and preschool services, and developing various childcare options, including community-based childcare and employer-run childcare. By the end of 2024, the number of childcare places nationwide is expected to reach 4.08 per thousand people. In terms of maternal and child health services, we will promote basic medical care services throughout the entire childbirth process, expand the coverage of labor analgesia services, and continue to implement the five maternal and child safety systems. By 2024, my country's maternal mortality rate will drop to 14.3 per 100,000 live births, and the infant mortality rate will drop to 4.0 per thousand. Core maternal and child health indicators will reach historically high levels, and the World Health Organization will list China as one of the 10 countries with high maternal and child health performance. We will expand the supply of pediatric medical services, ensuring that all secondary and tertiary public general hospitals nationwide provide pediatric services to meet the medical needs of children. In terms of educational support, all regions will increase the supply of high-quality educational resources, thoroughly implement the "double reduction" policy, and promote the balanced development of compulsory education. Recently, the State Council Executive Meeting called for the gradual implementation of free preschool education to help ease the educational burden on families. Many regions have introduced policies to allow girls with multiple children to attend school together, helping parents with difficulties in picking up and dropping off their children. In terms of housing support, all regions will expand the supply of affordable rental housing through multiple channels to help alleviate housing difficulties. Some regions have increased the maximum loan limit for housing provident funds for families with multiple children. Going forward, the National Health Commission will work with relevant departments to ensure the effective implementation of existing policies. At the same time, we will strengthen forward-looking research and policy reserves, continuously enrich and improve the policy toolbox for supporting fertility, further reduce the burden of childbirth, upbringing and education on families, and promote the construction of a fertility-friendly society. (CCTV News)