Ministry of Health and Welfare Announces 2022 Standard Childcare Costs... 21.3% Increase

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the 2022 standard childcare costs, which increased by an average of 21.3% compared to 2019. Standard childcare costs refer to the expenses required to provide a certain level of childcare services to infants and young children at daycare centers.

On the 30th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the '2022 Standard Childcare Costs' for supporting free childcare expenses after the second Central Childcare Policy Committee meeting in 2023. The standard childcare costs serve as the basis for calculating the free childcare expenses supported for daycare centers, including childcare fees.

According to the Infant Care Act, standard childcare costs are surveyed every three years, decided through the Central Childcare Policy Committee's review, and announced by the end of the following year. Going forward, the Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to establish an 'annual adjustment plan' to revise the standard childcare costs each year before the next survey by reflecting inflation and wage increases. Until now, the previously announced standard childcare costs were used until the next announcement, but from now on, the standard childcare costs will be adjusted annually to reflect inflation and wage increases.

To strengthen the state's caregiving responsibility for children with disabilities, the 'Standard Childcare Costs for Children with Disabilities' were announced for the first time. The Ministry explained that it thoroughly calculated the costs necessary for childcare of children with disabilities, including items such as diagnostic testing tools and rehabilitation therapy equipment, to support the provision of childcare services reflecting the special characteristics of children with disabilities.

According to the Ministry, the 2022 standard childcare costs for children aged 0-5 increased by an average of 21.2% compared to 2019. The Ministry stated, "Through the 2022 standard childcare costs, realistic childcare expenses will be supported for daycare centers, reducing the burden of providing childcare services, and children enrolled in daycare centers will be able to receive higher quality childcare services."