Gwangyang City to Significantly Increase Childbirth Incentives Starting Next Year

Second child: 10 million KRW · Third child: 15 million KRW support

[Gwangyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] Gwangyang City in Jeonnam announced on the 12th that it will significantly expand the childbirth incentive payments provided to families with second and third children to actively address population issues caused by declining birth rates.

Until now, the city has provided divided support over five years: 5 million KRW for families with first and second children, 10 million KRW for the third child, and 20 million KRW for the fourth child or more.

To create a childbirth-friendly environment, the city enacted the "Gwangyang City Childbirth Encouragement and Childcare Support Ordinance."

For second children born after January 1, 2022, 2 million KRW per year will be provided for five years, totaling 10 million KRW, and for third children, 3 million KRW per year for five years, totaling 15 million KRW.

This raises the childbirth incentive payments for second and third children by 5 million KRW each, aiming to provide tangible childcare support and reduce the economic burden on families with newborns.

Additionally, the eligibility criteria for postpartum care costs, previously provided to mothers registered with their spouse in the resident registry for more than 10 months as of the birth date, have been relaxed to support all mothers registered in the city as of the birth date.

Meanwhile, the reception office for the multi-childbirth mom happiness coupon (Gwangyang Love Gift Certificate worth 500,000 KRW, provided twice at birth and first birthday) previously supported for families with second or more children has been unified from the health center to the eup/myeon/dong community service centers. The city plans to organize the system so that all childbirth support policies can be applied for in a single visit when registering the birth.

Seo Yeongok, head of the Integrated Health Division, said, "We hope that the expanded implementation of this childbirth encouragement policy will alleviate the economic burden of childbirth and childcare for families and contribute to overcoming low birth rates."

Gwangyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik hss79@asiae.co.kr