HowToLiveBetter.THE BETTER LIFE HANDBOOK
English
YOUR LIFE, YOUR OWN PACE

Thinking through the costs of raising a child

Explore each chapter to understand the effort, benefits and context.

Read the chapter introduction

This chapter separates the money question from the time question. As in the chapter on relationships and marriage, the aim is to make the trade-offs visible, not to decide for you. The benefits and employment rules below refer to mainland China. If you are already pregnant and need a practical sequence of steps, see Chapter 27.

Ideas for a better everyday

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⌘ K
Found:6 ideas
Relationships

Include support you can claim: China’s national childcare subsidy is RMB 3,600 per child per year until age three

The scheme described here covers children born on or after January 1, 2025 who are under three. A parent applies where the child is registered. The payment is RMB 3,600 per child each year until age three. It is exempt from personal income tax and is not counted as household income when eligibility for assistance such as the minimum living allowance is assessed.

A Stronger evidenceHigh value
No costQuick and easy
Relationships

Understand China’s 98-day maternity-leave baseline and how the maternity allowance is calculated

The national baseline is 98 days of maternity leave, including up to 15 days before delivery. A difficult delivery adds 15 days. For a multiple birth, each additional baby adds another 15 days. During leave, the maternity insurance fund pays a maternity allowance; if the employer has not enrolled the employee in maternity insurance, the employer is responsible for payment.

A Stronger evidenceHigh value
No costQuick and easy
Relationships

Pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding are not lawful reasons for a pay cut or dismissal

In China, an employer cannot cut an employee’s pay or dismiss her because she is pregnant, has given birth or is breastfeeding. The cited provisions include fines of RMB 1,000–5,000 per affected employee for specified violations. An employee breastfeeding a child under one is entitled to one hour during each working day, and may not be assigned overtime or night shifts. See Chapter 19 for the compensation process.

A Stronger evidenceHigh value
No costQuick and easy
Relationships

Budget in three stages: birth to three, compulsory schooling and the years after that

Before age three, the main question is who provides care: a parent, grandparents or a paid caregiver. During China’s compulsory-school years, from primary through lower secondary school, housing and out-of-school activities become major expenses. Later, the education path drives much of the spending. Combining all three stages hides the differences behind a daunting total.

C Experience & consensus
Higher costSome time
Relationships

Separate family expectations, hopes for the relationship and expectations of support in old age

Other people’s wish for you to have a child can be one consideration, but the time and money come from your own life. Treat the expectation that a child will support you in old age as a separate assumption: it depends on another person’s willingness and financial circumstances twenty years from now. Write down the consequences of not having a child as well, then compare both sides.

C Experience & consensus
No costQuick and easy

Take a little time to go deeper

All essays
01Safety & preparedness

A home emergency kit: what to keep, where to put it, and when to check it

Read more02Health & everyday life

How your body keeps time—and why night work can be hard on it

Read more03Relationships & life

Is marriage right for you? Five separate questions to work through

Read more