In a major policy move to tackle declining birth rates, China has directed all tertiary-level hospitals to provide epidural anaesthesia during labour by the end of 2025, with secondary hospitals required to comply by 2027.
The directive, announced by the National Health Commission (NHC), is part of broader efforts to create a more supportive environment for childbirth. It aims to enhance maternal comfort and care, while also encouraging more couples to have children amid a nationwide demographic decline.
Under the new guidelines, all tertiary hospitals—facilities with over 500 beds—must offer epidural pain relief services within the next year and a half. Secondary hospitals, typically with over 100 beds, will have until the end of 2027 to implement the same standard.
At present, only about 30% of women in China receive any form of pain relief during childbirth, significantly lower than the over 70% usage rate reported in countries like the United States, France, and Canada. The World Health Organization recommends epidural anaesthesia as a safe and effective pain relief option for healthy pregnant women who request it.
“This measure will improve the comfort and safety of medical services,” the NHC stated, adding that it is designed to enhance public well-being and promote a childbearing-friendly environment.
The policy comes as China experiences a third consecutive year of population decline in 2024, raising concerns about long-term economic and social consequences linked to a shrinking, ageing population. In response, the government is rolling out healthcare reforms and family support measures to reverse the trend.
Some provinces have already begun integrating epidural costs into public health insurance. In Sichuan, health officials recently proposed increasing marriage leave to 25 days and maternity leave to 150 days to further support families.
Despite these initiatives, many young Chinese continue to delay or forgo parenthood due to high childcare expenses, economic instability, and career-related pressures. Authorities hope that improving maternal care and expanding social support will help ease these burdens and gradually stabilise the nation’s birth rate.
Nzubechukwu Eze
