TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan has unveiled an 18-measure family support strategy that promises monthly allowances from birth through age 18, extended parental leave, and workplace flexibility measures. The sweeping overhaul, the government says, will transform childcare from an individual burden into a shared public responsibility.
President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced the plan following a high-level national security meeting on Wednesday (May 27), calling it "a key step" toward moving Taiwan "fully beyond subsidy-based childcare and toward a publicly supported childcare model." The strategy targets three stages — childbirth, childrearing, and education — through measures spanning five priority areas.
The new policies are projected to cost an additional NT$205 billion (around US$6.5 billion) annually, bringing total spending to NT$380 billion (around US$12.1 billion) — roughly 1 percent of GDP, up from 0.42 percent previously. Here is why it matters for families and the political landscape.
The Centerpiece: A Monthly Allowance From Birth To 18
The flagship measure is a monthly NT$5,000 (around US$159) "growth allowance" for every child from birth through age 18. For ages 0 to 6, the full amount goes to families; for ages 6 to 18, half goes to families while half is deposited into a government-managed investment account.
The investment account guarantees minimum returns at the two-year fixed deposit rate. When the child turns 18, accumulated funds — estimated at up to NT$360,000 (around US$11,450) — become available as a "coming-of-age gift" for education, training, or entrepreneurship.
The new allowance stacks with existing subsidies rather than replacing them. Families with children ages 0 to 6 already receive NT$5,000 to NT$7,000 monthly; combined, support could reach NT$10,000 to NT$12,000 (around US$318 to US$382).
Workplace Flexibility: Leave Extensions And Reduced Hours
The strategy extends maternity leave from 8 to 12 weeks, marriage leave to 14 days, and paternity leave to 14 days, with the government covering additional wages. Childcare leave expands to children up to age 6, with single-day requests doubled from 30 to 60 days.
A "6+3" parental leave incentive encourages shared responsibilities. If both parents take six months of unpaid leave, each becomes eligible for three additional months of allowances — up to 18 months combined. Monthly payouts can exceed NT$40,000 (around US$1,272).
"Caring for children should never be a mother's responsibility alone," President Lai said. "We hope this enables more fathers to take leave with peace of mind, so that they can stand as their partners' strongest allies."
Parents of children up to age 12 can reduce their workday by one hour, with the government fully subsidizing lost wages. Employers receive NT$800 (around US$25) daily per substitute worker, plus up to NT$20,000 (around US$636) for long-term replacements at smaller companies.
Other Measures: Fertility Treatment, Housing, And Student Loans
The plan expands assisted reproduction subsidies. Women under 45 can receive NT$130,000 to NT$150,000 (around US$4,134 to US$4,771) for their first three cycles. The enhanced subsidies take effect in January 2027, with NT$2.9 billion (around US$92 million) annually benefiting nearly 5,000 recipients.
Housing measures reserve 40 percent of social housing for newlyweds and young families, with rental subsidies increasing to 1.5 times the standard rate for recent newlyweds. Student loan interest drops by one percentage point, and repayment grace periods extend to two years.
Public Reaction: Cautious Optimism, Persistent Doubts
Public reactions were mixed. A civil servant surnamed Chen (陳) in Miaoli County told the Central News Agency the measures gave her "more courage" to consider marriage, while a newlywed surnamed Lin (林) in Hsinchu County welcomed higher fertility subsidies.
But others remained skeptical. A woman surnamed Hsu (徐) in Miaoli County, married for nearly two years, said she and her husband had agreed not to have children — and no amount of government benefits would change that. "Having a child is a lifetime commitment," she said. "It's not just about money."
The National Early Childhood Education Union (全國幼教產業工會) urged the government to look beyond subsidies. The union called for better labor protections for childcare workers, who lack performance bonuses comparable to other public employees.
Opposition parties accused the administration of political opportunism. Taiwan People's Party Chair Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) questioned where funding would come from, while TPP legislators said the plan "plagiarized" their Taiwan Future Account proposal from five months earlier. KMT legislators called it "harvesting what others planted."
Local governments expressed concern about cost-sharing. Taichung Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen (盧秀燕) warned against "the central government writing checks while local governments foot the bill." The Ministry of Health and Welfare said central and local governments would share costs — historically around 80-20 — but final allocations remain under discussion.
What Remains Unclear
The Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, will form a task force led by Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) to oversee implementation, with policies expected in 2027. The president called for bipartisan support, but opposition parties had not endorsed the plan as of Thursday.
Details on eligibility requirements — including whether residency, income caps, or citizenship restrictions apply — were not immediately available. The government also did not clarify whether employer subsidies would cover 100 percent of actual costs, a concern for small and medium enterprises managing extended employee absences. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.44)