Liaoning to reward bigger families

Northeast China’s Liaoning Province reportedly plans to reward couples who give birth to two children on taxes, education and housing – the first province to introduce such incentives. But it seems unlikely to improve the province’s low fertility rate, Chinese analysts said.

To lighten the load of raising children, the provincial government vowed to improve policies on personal taxes, education, social welfare and housing to provide more incentives to a family of four, according to the population development plan (2016-2030) issued by the Liaoning government last week. No details on the incentives were provided.

Local governments have also been asked to improve maternity and paternity leaves, and policies on infant care, such as establishing more kindergartens. Families with one or two children need not apply.

The plan sets a population goal of 43.85 million in 2020 and 45 million in 2030 from 43.82 million in 2015, and the fertility rate from 0.9 in 2015 to 1.4 in 2020 and 1.8 in 2030. The fertility rate of China was 1.7 in 2016, according to the National Health Commission.

Experts said they believe the plan cannot help Liaoning increase its population, and the province has to reform its industries and improve its economy.