TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Presidential Office held a press conference after a national security meeting Wednesday to discuss Taiwan’s population challenges.
The office later announced 18 measures under a plan titled “Taiwan Population Strategy 2.0: Family Support.”
President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said the plan “focuses on the three major stages of childbirth, child-rearing, and education.” Lai said the 18 measures cover “secure parenting, stronger childcare, expanded education support, family-friendly workplaces, and reduced housing pressure.”
The president emphasized that the government would turn the fruits of Taiwan’s economic growth into tangible support for every citizen, family, and generation, per the Presidential Office. He said the goal was to allow all people to share in economic prosperity while laying a stronger foundation for Taiwan’s long-term sustainable development.
The 18 measures are as follows:
- NT$5,000 (US$159) monthly child growth allowance for ages 0–18
Each child aged 0 to 18 will receive NT$5,000 per month. Children aged 0–6 will receive the full amount directly. For those aged 6–18, half will be deposited and invested by the state. The government will assume the investment risk and guarantee at least fixed-deposit interest rates. - Development savings accounts for disadvantaged children
Disadvantaged children may save NT$500, NT$1,000, or NT$1,250 per month, with the government providing matching contributions at a 1:1 ratio to help build a financial foundation for future development. - Expanded fertility treatment subsidies
Women under age 45 will receive NT$130,000 to NT$150,000 in subsidies for assisted reproductive technology for the first through third treatments. Women under 40 will receive NT$60,000 for the fourth through sixth treatments. Earlier use qualifies for higher subsidies. - Childbirth insurance benefits increased to NT$100,000
Regardless of whether parents are covered by labor insurance, national insurance, farmers’ insurance, military insurance, or civil servant insurance, childbirth benefits will be topped up to NT$100,000 per child to ease initial childbirth expenses. - Expanded subsidies for childcare and daycare for ages 0–2
Subsidies for children aged 0–2 will increase depending on birth order. Families caring for children at home will receive NT$5,000–7,000 monthly; public daycare users will receive NT$7,000–9,000; and quasi-public daycare users will receive NT$13,000–15,000. - Affordable preschool and childcare subsidies for ages 2–6
Public kindergarten tuition will be capped at NT$1,000, nonprofit kindergarten at NT$2,000, and quasi-public kindergarten at NT$3,000. Families using private childcare or providing care themselves will receive monthly childcare subsidies of NT$5,000–7,000. - Expanded child healthcare services
Screening for 22 newborn diseases will be free. Preventive healthcare subsidies for children will increase to nine visits. The dedicated pediatric physician program will expand from ages 0–3 to 0–6, while early intervention services will also be strengthened. - Expanded affordable childcare capacity
The government will continue expanding the capacity of affordable childcare services. Public institutions and state-owned enterprises will also be encouraged to establish more childcare centers and preschools. - Tax incentives for corporate childcare
Businesses providing childcare services will be able to deduct related expenses at up to 200% of taxable income. - Further cuts to student loan interest rates
Student loan interest rates will be reduced by 1%, and repayment periods extended by one year, with the government covering the difference. - Three major student support measures
The government will continue tuition-free senior high and vocational education, provide up to NT$35,000 annually for private university students, and offer dormitory subsidies of NT$5,000–7,000 per semester. - Extended marriage, maternity, and paternity leave
Marriage leave will increase to 14 days, maternity leave to 12 weeks, and paternity leave to 14 days. The government will subsidize additional wage costs. - Expanded parental leave benefits (“6+3” plan)
After each parent receives six months of parental leave benefits, they may each receive an additional three months, for a combined maximum of 18 months. Insurance salary ceilings will also be raised, allowing subsidies to exceed NT$40,000. - Parental leave upgraded to childcare leave
Childcare leave eligibility will expand to children aged 0–6. Both parents may apply for leave day by day, increasing to 60 days each, for a combined total of 120 days. - Flexible work hours without salary reduction
Flexible schedules or reduced work hours for childcare will expand to parents with children up to age 12. Workers may reduce work time by one hour daily without pay cuts, with the government reimbursing employers for the wage difference. - Subsidies for temporary replacement workers
The government will subsidize businesses NT$800 per day for temporary replacement workers needed during marriage leave, paternity leave, childcare leave, or reduced-hour arrangements. Small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 200 employees hiring long-term replacements may receive NT$20,000 per worker. - Tax reductions for families with children
In addition to existing preschool special deductions for children under age six and increased tax exemptions for seniors over 70, tax exemptions for dependent minor children will increase by another 50%, raising the exemption to NT$151,500 per child. - Reduced housing pressure for families
Local governments will be authorized to reduce property and land taxes for families with children. Housing subsidies, rental assistance, and renovation support for leased housing will also expand, allowing families with children aged 0–6 to remain in stable housing for up to 12 years.
