"One in Six Babies Born via IVF"...
Gyeonggi Province Contributes to Overcoming Low Birthrate
Gyeonggi Province Provides Infertility Treatment Subsidies for 40,413 Couples in Six Months
Performance Expected to Surpass Last Year's 55,965 Cases in Just Half a Year
Nation's First Medical Expense Support Program for Discontinued Infertility Treatment Launched
Gyeonggi Province has received the Prime Minister's Institutional Commendation at the "20th Pregnant Women's Day Commemoration Event 2025," hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, in recognition of its innovative achievements in policies supporting couples experiencing infertility.
This award reflects the high evaluation of Gyeonggi Province's proactive support for couples facing infertility, as well as its leading role in addressing the declining birthrate crisis nationwide.
Last year, Gyeonggi Province comprehensively reformed its financial support system for infertility treatment for couples.
The province removed residency period restrictions and age-based differentiated support for women, and increased the number of supported treatments from 21 to 25.
Since November 2024, the support has been expanded from 25 treatments per couple to 25 treatments per childbirth.
As a result, the total number of infertility treatment subsidies provided last year was 55,965, an increase of 7,930 cases (16.5%) compared to 48,023 in 2023. The number of pregnancies resulting from this support was 12,085, with a pregnancy success rate of 21.6%. As of the end of June this year, 40,413 cases have already been supported, and the province expects to surpass last year's performance.
Of the 71,285 babies born in Gyeonggi Province in 2024, 11,503 were born through infertility treatment, meaning approximately one in every 6.2 babies was born via such procedures. This demonstrates the significant contribution of infertility support policies in alleviating the low birthrate issue.
In May last year, Gyeonggi Province became the first in the country to introduce a "medical expense support system for discontinued infertility treatments."
This system, which provides up to 500,000 won per case for medical expenses incurred when treatment is discontinued-without any limit on the number of times-was implemented based on policy suggestions from the Gyeonggi Province Population Committee.
In 2024, a total of 3,478 people received support through this program. After the government expanded the system nationwide in November last year, it has become a model for other provinces and cities. As of June this year, 3,358 cases have already been supported, reaching nearly last year's total within just six months.
Since April this year, Gyeonggi Province has also launched a support program for the freezing and preservation of reproductive cells (sperm and eggs) for residents expected to experience permanent infertility.
The province provides a one-time subsidy of up to 300,000 won for men and up to 2 million won for women, with 11 cases supported as of the end of June.
Additionally, the province supports the cost of egg freezing procedures for women with diminished ovarian function.
This program targets women aged 20 to 49 who have resided in Gyeonggi Province for more than six months and belong to households with an income at or below 180% of the median. Eligible individuals can receive up to 2 million won for examination and procedure costs once in their lifetime. As of the end of June, 16 cases have been supported.
To promote healthy pregnancy and childbirth, the province has also expanded support for essential fertility checkups from once to three times.
Women and men aged 20 to 49 can receive ovarian function tests and detailed sperm morphology tests, regardless of marital status or number of children. Women are eligible for up to 130,000 won, and men up to 50,000 won. As of the end of June this year, 46,057 cases have been supported, surpassing last year's total of 28,419 by a significant margin within just six months.
The province also provides professional counseling services to improve the health and well-being of couples experiencing infertility and pregnant women, helping to alleviate psychological distress and stress.
Applications are accepted at the two regional infertility and pregnancy counseling centers in Gyeonggi Province (Southern Region: Gyeonggi Branch of the Korea Population, Health and Welfare Association; Northern Region: Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital). Notably, starting this year, the Northern Center has been operating the Gyeonggi Province Pregnancy and Childbirth Class, allowing couples to receive systematic education on pregnancy and childbirth together.
Furthermore, the province offers the "Frozen Egg Thawing Assisted Reproductive Technology Support" program, which provides up to two subsidies per couple for the cost of thawing frozen eggs and fresh embryo in vitro fertilization procedures, with a maximum of 1 million won per case.
Yoo Youngcheol, Director of the Health and Wellness Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "Since last year, Gyeonggi Province has been gradually expanding the 'Infertility Support Program' to remove barriers to pregnancy and childbirth for couples experiencing infertility. There is a need for more active support for couples who are clearly committed to having children, and we will continue our efforts to reduce the burden on families facing infertility."
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