TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Wednesday announced plans for a monthly subsidy of NT$5,000 (US$158) per child until the age of 18 as part of broader efforts to address the nation’s declining birth rate.

Lai unveiled the proposal while delivering a speech marking the completion of his second full year at the Presidential Office in Taipei. He said the subsidy would form part of a larger family support initiative aimed at encouraging young people to marry and raise children, per UDN.

He said the government will soon introduce additional policies designed to support families in other areas. More measures would cover marriage, pregnancy, childcare, workplace protections, housing, and work-life balance.

“A monthly subsidy for every child from birth to age 18 will help provide comprehensive support for families,” Lai said. “With this, we are instilling young people with the confidence to marry, start families, and build happy, fulfilling lives.”

Lai said the administration hopes the program will help address Taiwan’s long-term population decline and low birth rate. He also hoped it would reduce financial pressures associated with raising children, per UDN.

The president said the government’s goal is to create a more family-friendly environment, extending from childbirth and parenting support to employment and housing assistance. Lai was accompanied in the address by Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) and Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an (潘孟安).