Mar 4 • 01:47 UTC 🇰🇷 Korea Hankyoreh (KR)

1 in 6 newborns in Gyeonggi-do is born through infertility treatment

In Gyeonggi-do, one in every six newborns is born through infertility treatments, reflecting the province's significant support for couples facing infertility.

Recent statistics reveal that one out of every six newborns in Gyeonggi-do is born as a result of infertility treatments. The provincial government has made substantial changes to support families dealing with infertility, such as abolishing income criteria and residency limits. This initiative has positioned infertility assistance as a vital countermeasure to the declining birthrate crisis. According to estimates for 2024, 11,503 out of a projected 71,285 births in Gyeonggi-do are expected to come from infertility treatments, highlighting the program's role in boosting actual birth rates.

In the past year, Gyeonggi-do provided support for treatment costs to a record 37,441 couples facing infertility, marking a 9% increase from the previous year. With a success rate of 22.9%, an impressive 13,981 cases resulted from these treatments. Improvements in the provincial support system have played a vital role in this success; starting in 2023, Gyeonggi-do eliminated income thresholds and residency duration requirements for treatment cost support. Additionally, the number of support instances has expanded from 21 to 25 per couple, allowing for more comprehensive assistance.

From November 2024, the support policy is shifting from 25 treatments per couple to 25 per birth, ensuring that families wishing for multiple children can receive uninterrupted assistance. Other initiatives include support for the freezing of reproductive cells for those at risk of permanent infertility and financial aid for women aged 20 to 49 with decreased ovarian function, along with a unique one-time funding for egg freezing procedures. These measures confirm Gyeonggi-do's proactive approach in offering financial guidance and support for couples as they navigate the complexities of infertility treatment.

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