This section breaks down the financial and time costs involved. Much like Section 10, which examined the costs of marriage, we’re simply laying out the numbers here — without offering any definitive conclusions. If you’re already pregnant and need to follow the necessary steps, please refer to Section 27. There are 18 key considerations to keep in mind when deciding whether raising a child is worthwhile.
English text comes from the independent translation maintained by dlgrv. New entries without a translation appear in Chinese. The author's Chinese original is authoritative for the latest content. Translation snapshot: dlgrv/HowToLiveBetter · 11818c6
Start by claiming what you’re entitled to: the national dibao program gives 3,600 yuan per child per year until the child turns 3.
If your child was born after January 1, 2025, and is under 3 years old, you qualify for this payment. One parent or legal guardian can submit the application at the child’s hukou office. The allowance is 3,600 yuan per year per child, paid out until the child reaches age 3. No personal income tax applies to this money, and it does not count toward any dibao or similar assistance calculations.
Cost
Zero out-of-pocket expense. Simply apply at the local huko…
Benefit
As stipulated in the policy issued by the General Offices of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council,…
02Evidence A
Maternity leave lasts 98 days; maternity benefits are paid by the maternity insurance fund based on the employer’s average monthly wage from the prior year.
You’re entitled to at least 98 days of maternity leave, including up to 15 days you can take before the birth. If the delivery is difficult, you get an extra 15 days. For each additional child born, you receive another 15 days of leave. The money paid during this time is called maternity benefits and comes from the maternity insurance fund. If your employer hasn’t enrolled in this insurance, they must pay the benefits themselves.
Cost
There is no cost to you. Your employer handles all the pap…
Benefit
The length of maternity leave is set by the State Council: “Female employees are entitled to 98 days of matern…
03Evidence A
Important to know: Employers cannot cut pay or fire workers due to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding
During pregnancy, after giving birth, or while breastfeeding, it is illegal for employers to cut your pay or fire you. Violators face fines ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 yuan per employee. For infants under one year old, you are entitled to one hour of breastfeeding time each day, and employers cannot assign you overtime or night shifts. Instructions on how to file a claim can be found in Section 19.
Cost
No cost at all
Benefit
As stipulated by the State Council, “Employers must not reduce the wages of female employees, fire them, or te…
04Evidence C
The time-cost calculation is based on “whose time is being used,” not on “how hard it is”
Count up all the hours spent caring for the child each day, plus every nighttime wake-up call. Then multiply that total by the hourly wage of the person doing the work. The resulting figure is usually far higher than the cost of formula and diapers. That’s why it’s best to discuss how responsibilities will be divided before having a child.
Cost
There’s no monetary expense — only time is spent. For chil…
Benefit
By converting daily childcare time and nighttime interruptions into hours, then multiplying by the caregiver’s…
05Evidence C
Breaking down costs into three periods: ages 0–3, compulsory education, and post‑compulsory education
For ages 0–3, most spending goes toward childcare arrangements — whether parents care for the child themselves, grandparents help out, or a professional is hired. During primary and middle school, the main expenses are housing and extracurricular activities. After that, costs center on further education pathways. Since spending patterns differ so much in each phase, lumping them together yields only an intimidating overall figure.
Cost
There’s no single fixed figure for total expenses;
Benefit
The bulk of expenses in the 0–3 age range relate to childcare methods;
06Evidence C
Keep separate accounts for having kids for your elders, for marriage, and for old-age security
Others may expect you to have children, and that can certainly be one factor to consider. Yet the time and money involved are expenses you personally bear. “Relying on kids for old-age support” deserves its own separate calculation, since it hinges on another person’s financial capacity and willingness two decades down the line. Be sure to also write down the consequences of choosing not to have kids, so you can compare both sides fairly.
Cost
There’s no monetary cost — only the cost of having a since…
Benefit
The reasoning here mirrors that in Section 10. External expectations are valid considerations, but their assoc…