China Gives Paid “Marriage Leave” to Boost Birth Rate

Several Chinese provinces are offering young newlyweds 30 days of paid leave amid a declining birth rate in an effort to promote early marriage and raise the birth rate.

China’s minimum paid marriage leave is three days, according to a statement from the Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily Health, although provinces have the option to set their own, more generous allowances in an effort to reverse the nation’s dropping birth rate.

While some Chinese provinces offer 30 days of marriage vacation, others only offer roughly 10 days of leave. According to Reuters, the provinces of Gansu and Shanxi are offering 30 days, whereas Shanghai is offering 10 days, and Sichuan is still only offering 3.