China to offer subsidies to help reverse falling number of births
The government said on Monday that it offers families 3,600 yuan, or about 500 dollars, per year for each child under the age of three.
China's annual number of newborns has been dropping rapidly, causing the country's overall population to decline for the third consecutive year through 2024.
This trend comes as many young people are cautious about getting married and having babies due to surging education costs and growing concerns about employment prospects.
China abolished its one-child policy in 2016, encouraging married couples to have two children. It further eased its restriction in 2021, allowing married couples to have three children.
Some local governments have also prepared their own subsidy programs to boost birthrates.
Many posts on Chinese social media questioned the effectiveness of the central government's new provision, saying the subsidy is too small. There are strong calls for the government to take further measures.
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