China has allocated 99.9 billion yuan ($14.77 billion) in child-rearing subsidy funds for this year, marking a 10.6 percent increase from the previous year. This initiative is part of broader efforts to build a fertility-friendly society, as announced by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday.

The funds, recently issued by the ministry, are intended to support local authorities in providing subsidies to eligible infants and young children. It is estimated that total subsidy arrangements from all levels of government for the year will reach about 110 billion yuan.

Last year, a national program was launched to provide an annual allowance of 3,600 yuan for each eligible child under the age of 3, retroactive to January 1, 2025.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the distribution of the 2026 child-rearing subsidies is now underway. Under existing regulations, health authorities at all levels are tasked with organizing the review and disbursement of the payments. Payments are normally issued at least once a quarter, and all applications approved in the previous quarter must be settled before the end of the current quarter.

The ministry stated it will continue to work with the National Health Commission to strictly manage the funds, strengthen oversight and inspection, and ensure the policy achieves its intended effect.