BEIJING — China don introduce a tax on condoms and contraceptives as part of a new plan to boost the country’s declining birth rate. The tax started January 1, 2026, ending over 30 years of exemption on family planning products.
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China Don Tax Condoms and Contraceptives: Government Explanation
Officials announced say condoms, birth control pills, and other contraceptives go now carry 13% value-added tax (VAT). Before now, these products dey tax-exempt since 1993, during the time strict population control policies dey active.
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Government sources talk say the tax on condoms and contraceptives na part of bigger plan to encourage families to have more children. China population don dey decline for three years straight. In 2024, only 9.5 million pikin were born, far below past decades.
“The country need more pikin to balance population,” one government source said. “We dey encourage families to have children. The tax on contraceptives na small part of bigger policy with incentives for families.”
Incentives to Encourage More Births
Alongside the tax, China don announce several incentives to push couples to have children. Dem include tax breaks for childcare services, longer maternity and paternity leave, and cash support for young pikin.
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Childcare and eldercare providers remain exempt from VAT, even as contraceptives go dey taxed. Government hopes the combined measures go push couples to have more pikin and slow down population decline.
Public Reaction and Expert Warnings
The tax on condoms and contraceptives don spark reactions online and among experts. Some people argue say this tax fit no solve low birth rate problem, because high childcare costs, job insecurity, and lifestyle choices dey bigger issues.
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Health analysts warn say higher contraceptive costs fit make low-income families no afford am and fit even affect public health if people stop using contraceptives safely.
China’s new policy show say government dey serious about reversing low birth rates. From the old one-child policy to today, strategies don change, but demographic challenges still dey. This tax and new incentives na bold step to encourage families to plan for more pikin.
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