(Yicai Global) Sept.19 -- In order to alleviate the downward trend in birth population, southwest China’s Yunnan province said last week that from 2023 to 2025, a one-time birth subsidy of CNY2,000 (USD285.2) and CNY5,000 will be issued to the newly-born second and third children, respectively.

In addition, a subsidy of CNY800 (USD114.08) will be given to for each household on an annual basis, it clarified on Sept.16.

According to public information, Yunnan was to have a birth population of 440,000 in 2021, with a birth rate of 9.35 per thousand and a natural growth rate of 1.23 per thousand. In 2019, about 612,000 people were born amid a natural growth rate of 6.43 per thousand.

Analyzing the situation, Dong Yuzhen, director of the Guangdong Academy of Population Development, told Yicai Global that all localities in Yunnan are now trying to implement policy measures to support active fertility. At present, many areas are exploring birth subsidies for women who have three children.

The province is actively encouraging regions to establish a three-child education subsidy system if they can, which is a good policy orientation. Things can be further refined, including what kind of standards the subsidy should meet and the duration of the subsidy, Dong said.

Besides Yunnan, many places in China have clearly proposed to establish a childcare subsidy system. For example, in early August, Changsha, capital of central Hunan province, proposed that a household with three children and above could enjoy a one-time childcare subsidy of CNY10,000 (USD1,426) provided for each child.

A district health commission in northeast Heilongjiang province recently proposed a plan to give a one-time reward of CNY20,000 for the birth of a third child. A childcare allowance of CNY300 per month for the birth of a second child and a childcare allowance of CNY500 per month for the birth of a third child are issued until the newborns are three years old.

Editor: Peter Thomas