The Chinese city of Luliang, located in Shanxi province, has implemented an incentive plan to promote marriage and increase the birth rate among its residents. Starting January 1, 2025, couples marrying for the first time, provided the woman is 35 years old or younger, will receive financial support. The announcement was made by the state-run Global Times on Friday.
The program establishes that the birth of the first child will be rewarded with a sum of money, as well as the second and third child, with progressively higher amounts. The initiative is supported by various government entities and is part of a comprehensive approach to support marriage and motherhood in the region.
The Civil Affairs Office of Luliang has highlighted that a database for singles will be launched, offering personalized marriage counseling services both online and in person. Additionally, maternal and child health services in rural areas will be strengthened, the registration of newborns will be simplified, and maternity and paternity leave periods will be extended.
China's State Council recently published a series of measures to encourage childbirth and create a family-friendly society, in response to the demographic crisis the country is facing. These include reducing costs associated with raising children, improving maternity and paternity leave systems, and expanding childcare support services, as well as policies in education, housing, and employment.
Several localities in China have already implemented similar measures to incentivize births. The demographic situation in the country has raised concerns, leading to an increase in state intervention to boost the birth rate. Despite the allowance for citizens to have a third child since 2021, the population's response has been moderate, due to economic and employment concerns associated with raising children.