Beijing Announces Additional Maternity Leave Days

Earlier this year China announced the end of the two-child policy after the 2020 census revealed that the country’s population has been growing at its slowest pace in decades. Congratulations! Chinese families are now allowed to have three children! But wait, are people really taking the bait?

As the cost of living, education, healthcare, etc. continues to rise in the city, it’s not a matter of whether parents want a third child, but if they can actually afford to have one.

In response to these concerns, Beijing’s health authorities announced earlier this month that any mother who gives birth to a third child would be entitled to an additional 30 days of maternity leave, on top of the 4 months of maternity leave under previous policy. Spouses are still only eligible for up to 15 days of paternity leave.

However, such incentives are nothing new, and have yet to prove effective in swaying the populace to have more kids. In fact, ever since the three-child policy was announced, it’s been met with equal parts criticism and skepticism, forcing the country to continually find ways to ease the burden of parenthood, such as the increased maternity leave.

Furthermore, according to Global Times, Sichuan and Jiangxi provinces have already started providing couples who have a third child with subsidies.

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