How Does China Provide Fertility Support Policy? A Perspective of Policy Evolution

Fertility support policies refer to the measures that provide economic, time, tax, and childcare assistance to families with care needs for children and adolescents. In China, these policies have continuously evolved in response to shifts in demographic structures and socioeconomic environment. To elucidate how China implements these fertility support policies, this study approaches the analysis from two dimensions—policy content and policy instruments—conducting a content analysis of 226 policy texts across four stages. The results demonstrate that the number of services and other forms of support included in fertility support policies exceeds the number of time and financial support, reflecting a gradual diversification of policy content. Mandatory policy instruments are utilized more frequently than hybrid and voluntary instruments, with a balanced and diversified utilisation of various policy instruments. Different types of policy content employ distinct policy instruments. The evolution of fertility support policies illustrates a process of adaptation to changing social contexts and the progressive advancement of women’s roles, and promoting the efficacy of these policies. Current policies still face challenges, including the insufficient use of voluntary and hybrid instruments, as well as a lack of emphasis on gender equality. We recommend that the government enhance fertility support policies by transitioning instruments from “mandatory” to “hybrid” and “voluntary”, ensuring the policy content is both comprehensive and inclusive, and improving the coordination of policy combinations.