2025-06-05T05:35:51Z

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HONG KONG: In a bold initiative aimed at reversing the alarming trend of declining birth rates, health authorities in China's southwestern Sichuan province are proposing to significantly extend marriage and maternity leave for couples. The proposal, which seeks to enhance the country's demographic situation, suggests extending marriage leave to a remarkable 25 days, a stark increase from the current allowance of just five days. Additionally, maternity leave would be extended to 150 days, more than double the existing period of 60 days.

This move comes against the backdrop of China’s government grappling with a persistent decline in birth rates within the world's second-largest economy. The demographic crisis has reached a critical point, with China experiencing a decrease in population for the third consecutive year in 2024. Experts have voiced concerns that if not addressed, this downward trend could spiral further, leading to long-term socio-economic consequences.

The Sichuan Health Commission has made the draft proposal available on its official website and is actively seeking public opinion and feedback from citizens between May 30 and June 30. This engagement is crucial as the province, home to approximately 84 million residents—making it more populous than many countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom—looks to implement policies that will encourage higher birth rates.

In addition to the proposed increases in marriage and maternity leave, the Sichuan authorities are also planning to extend paternity leave from the current 20 days to 30 days. This initiative is designed to promote shared responsibilities between couples when it comes to child-rearing, allowing fathers to support their partners more effectively during the crucial postpartum period.

Sichuan province has positioned itself as one of the more progressive regions within China concerning reproductive health policies. Notably, it has previously enabled unmarried women to access in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. In a further demonstration of its progressive stance, 2023 saw Sichuan authorities announce that unmarried individuals would also be eligible for certain benefits previously reserved for married couples. These measures underscore a commitment to creating a more fertility-friendly environment and address the challenges posed by the current demographic landscape.