Photo: IC

The city of Jingmen in Central China’s Hubei Province has released a series of new childbirth support measures, including subsidies of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,416) for assisted reproductive technology (ART), which will take effect on January 1, 2026, to lower reproductive and child-raising costs and boost childbirth, Hubei Daily reported on Wednesday. 

In terms of reducing the cost of childbirth, the city has introduced several “substantial” subsidy policies. Newlyweds can enjoy free premarital medical check-ups, couples preparing for pregnancy can receive free preconception eugenics health examinations, pregnant women registered in Jingmen can receive free non-invasive prenatal genetic testing, and newborns will also receive free screening for genetic metabolic diseases.

It is noteworthy that the city will offer subsidies of up to 3,000 yuan for artificial insemination and 10,000 yuan for IVF for families in need of ART treatment. 
In addition, unemployed spouses of male employees participating in maternity insurance can enjoy maternity medical benefits on a similar basis. The policy benefits include the inclusion of labor analgesia and assisted reproduction services in medical insurance, as well as the direct disbursement of maternity allowances to female employees. 

In terms of maternity leaves, employees giving birth to a second or third child will have their maternity leaves extended by 15 days and 30 days, respectively, while spousal caregiving leaves will be extended by five days and 10 days, respectively. 

In terms of child-rearing and education, Jingmen will offer monthly childcare subsidies of 300 yuan for children under 3, and the amount will rise to 500 yuan for families with three children. 

The city will also introduce free preschool education, with full fee waivers for three-child families and reduced fees for private kindergartens. Families with multiple children can also benefit from the “siblings attend together” policy, allowing second and third children to attend the same school or kindergarten.

Besides, the city offers one-time housing subsidies of 20,000 yuan and 40,000 yuan for two- and three-child families to buy new homes in the downtown area, stackable with other benefits. 

In order to ease concerns for families with children, Jingmen will also allow flexible work hours and leaves and other childcare support policies for families with children under 12, with government agencies and public institutions taking the lead in the implementation. 

Statistics show that Jingmen’s permanent population reached 2.55 million in 2024. In the same year, the city achieved a population return of 49,000, attracted 36,500 university graduates, with a total of 85,000 new residents added through talent attraction and policy support, according to Hubei Daily. 

Global Times