Government expands financial support for multiple births

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By Jun Ji-hye

The government has decided to expand support for medical expenses and other welfare measures for multiple pregnancies, as the ratio of multiple births has risen recently, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced, Thursday.

Currently, the government supports 1 million won ($780) in medical costs for a single pregnancy and 1.4 million won for multiple pregnancies, regardless of twins and other multiples. This will be changed to 1 million won per fetus.

“Under this change, 2 million won will be offered for a twin pregnancy, 3 million won for triplets and 4 million won for quadruplets,” First Vice Health Minister Lee Ki-il said during a media briefing.

The decision was made in response to the increasing ratio of births of twins and other higher multiples in recent years, as an increasing number of couples have had babies through infertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The ministry said more couples have faced infertility recently with the average age of marriage getting higher.

Statistically, women who undergo IVF have multiple pregnancies at a higher rate.

According to the ministry, the ratio of multiple births stood at 3.9 percent in 2017 and increased to 5.4 percent in 2021.

First Vice Health Minister Lee Ki-il speaks during a media briefing at the Government Complex in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

The government will also work to revise the Labor Standards Act, so women with multiple pregnancies can use the working hour reduction system more effectively.

Under the current law, pregnant women can apply for a reduction in work hours per day, but only during the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy or after week 36.

Pregnant women carrying multiple babies have been denied proper use of the system, as they have a higher chance of premature delivery before the 36-week pregnancy.

The revised law is aimed at allowing pregnant women to apply for a working hour reduction during the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy or after week 32.

The ministry will expand the maternity leave period for spouses of women giving birth to twins or higher multiples.

Currently, a spouse can take 10 days of parental leave regardless of the number of babies his wife gives birth to. This will be changed, so spouses of women bearing twins, or higher multiples, can be offered 15 days of parental leave.

Government support for postpartum caregivers in cases of multiple births will also be expanded.

Additionally, the government will expand state subsidies for infertility treatment, regardless of a couple's income level. The income ceiling for the benefit is currently in place for some local governments.

“The government will consult with local governments to push for removing the income ceiling, so all couples needing infertility treatments across the country can be given equal subsidies,” a ministry official said.