China to cover all expenses related to childbirth from 2026

China will cover all out-of-pocket expenses related to childbirth in 2026, said the country's national healthcare security administration, as the authorities try to incentivise more young couples to have children.

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By 2026, China will aim to offer nationwide full reimbursement for all policy-covered medical expenses related to childbirth, including prenatal checkups, the administration said.

It would "improve the level of medical expense coverage for prenatal examinations, striving to achieve 'no out-of-pocket expenses' for childbirth", it said in a report on Dec 13.

The move comes as Beijing grapples with how to boost the country's flagging population.