Breaking the Deadlock of the Birth Rate Dilemma: From "Relaxing the Three-Child Policy" to "Comprehensive Support" Policy Shift

A few years ago, when the three-child policy was introduced, public opinion was filled with applause, but the results were less than ideal—birth rates continued to decline. The question of whether to have more children or fewer became a “heartache” for policymakers. The key issue isn’t about how many children are allowed, but the common dilemma faced by most families: they want to have children but are afraid to do so. Economic pressure is the “roadblock.” The costs of raising a child—from pregnancy to adulthood—cover everything from formula and diapers to education and housing, and none of these are small expenses. Merely relaxing birth restrictions without addressing the practical burdens won’t improve birth rates. The central government finally recognized this, and the new policies are significantly more comprehensive.

Why Have Birth Rates Been Persistently Low: Policy Mismatch with Reality

In recent years, although laws permit having three children, the actual birth rate hasn’t increased accordingly. The fundamental reason is that policy has loosened, but the economy hasn’t kept pace. A family’s decision to have children involves a comprehensive weighing of costs—child-rearing expenses, time investment, and opportunity costs. The previous approach was “passive relaxation”—allowing childbirth but leaving families to bear the consequences themselves. Under this model, young people facing high housing prices, expensive education, and career pressures tend to delay or forgo having multiple children. The downward trend in birth rates directly reflects this imbalance: “policy easing, but burdens not alleviated.”

Recently, the central government introduced new policies that shift from simply “encouraging” to “actively supporting,” systematically addressing costs across all stages—birth, upbringing, education, and housing.

From Birth to Raising: Substantive Support Across Five Dimensions

Birth Stage: Costs Significantly Reduced

The new policies greatly enhance maternity insurance coverage. Previously excluded groups like flexible workers and migrant workers are now included; unemployment benefits now cover maternity medical expenses. More directly, reimbursement rates for prenatal checkups have increased, and some regions now offer real-time settlement of prenatal costs, eliminating the need for upfront payments. For eligible infants under three years old, the government provides annual birth subsidies. Though modest, these symbolize a tangible effort to lighten family burdens.

Raising Stage: Dual Relief of Time and Money

Many families previously avoided having more children due to “no one to care for the kids.” Now, widespread affordable childcare services have expanded—government investments in childcare facilities, encouragement for employers and communities to participate, significantly increasing available spots and lowering prices. Parental leave policies are also key—both parents can enjoy dedicated parental leave each year before the child turns three. This not only increases parent-child bonding time but also eases caregiving pressures. Tax incentives have been added—expenses for caring for infants under three can be deducted from personal income taxes, directly reducing the tax burden on families.

Education Stage: Systematic Reforms from Preschool to Compulsory Education

Coverage of affordable kindergartens continues to rise, and improvements in management of community-based kindergartens allow more children to access quality, low-cost early education. During compulsory education, the “double reduction” policy effectively curbs extracurricular tutoring chaos, greatly reducing hidden family expenses. School after-hours care services align with parents’ working hours, solving pickup issues and eliminating the need for additional childcare costs. The core goal of these reforms is to restore education to its public service nature, rather than turning it into a financial burden for families.

Housing Stage: Policies Favoring Multi-Child Families

When allocating public rental housing, consideration is given to the number of minors in the household; some regions offer purchase discounts for multi-child families and increase housing provident fund loan limits to help these families overcome the “can’t afford a bigger house” dilemma.

The Key to Increasing Birth Rates Lies in Policy Implementation

Having supportive policies on paper is one thing, but whether birth rates will truly rise depends on how effectively these policies are implemented. As of early 2026, policies are gradually being rolled out, but progress varies across regions. First-tier cities and eastern areas have relatively complete supporting measures, while mid-sized and rural areas still need strengthening.

Policy makers have explicitly stated that by the end of 2025, a proactive support system for childbirth should be basically established, significantly reducing costs associated with having and raising children and education. If these measures can be effectively implemented and truly activate suppressed fertility demand from the cost side, an increase in birth rates can be anticipated.

Why Three Generations Will Benefit

Young couples will feel the most immediate benefits—those previously insurmountable “can’t afford to have children” issues are being addressed one by one. Career development and having children are no longer necessarily in conflict. Elderly family members can breathe easier—no longer exhausted from helping with childcare, as policy support distributes the caregiving burden. Children themselves are the direct beneficiaries—rising birth rates mean more peers, and equitable distribution of quality educational resources offers them fair opportunities.

From “Unwilling to Have” to “Able to Have”

The core support for childbirth isn’t just public encouragement but substantial policy investment. What sets this new policy apart is that it no longer relies on slogans but systematically intervenes at the cost, time, and institutional levels. Childbirth subsidies, childcare investments, tax incentives, educational reforms, and housing support—all are aimed at genuinely lowering the costs of having children.

Of course, increasing birth rates won’t happen overnight. Policies need time to prove their effectiveness, and family decision-making psychology also requires adjustment. But at least now, “having three children” is no longer an exclusive luxury for a few but a serious option for ordinary families. This shift is the greatest significance of this round of new policies—transforming childbirth from a heavy personal burden into a family choice shared by society, ultimately promoting higher fertility.

Whether future birth rates will reverse the downward trend depends on whether these policy commitments can truly translate into tangible benefits for families. This is a real test of policy execution and social responsibility.