What’s Changing in 2026: Stronger Support for Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Parenting in Korea
Starting in 2026, South Korea is rolling out a significantly expanded set of policies aimed at supporting families. In response to the country’s ongoing low birth rate, the government is strengthening financial support, workplace protections, and childcare services across every stage of parenting, from pregnancy to raising school-age children.
Here is a clear breakdown of what families can expect in the coming year.
Child Allowance Expands to Age 9
Korea’s child allowance, introduced in 2018, currently provides a monthly payment to all children under age 8 to help ease the cost of raising children. Beginning in 2026, this benefit will expand to include children up to age 9.
The government plans to gradually raise the eligibility age by one year at a time, with the long-term goal of covering children up to age 13 by 2030. This change reflects long-standing criticism that Korea’s child allowance ends much earlier than in many OECD countries and has not kept pace with rising living costs.
To avoid fairness issues during the transition, all children born in 2017 will receive the allowance regardless of their exact birthday.
Payment amounts will also vary by region. Families in metropolitan areas will receive the standard amount, while those living outside major cities, in population-decline areas, or in specially designated regions will receive higher monthly payments. Additional support will be offered to families in population-decline regions who choose local community vouchers.
Higher Pay Caps for Maternity Leave and Reduced Working Hours
Maternity leave pay will increase for the first time in three years. The monthly payment cap will rise from 2.1 million won to 2.2 million won, reflecting recent increases in the minimum wage and preventing situations where minimum-wage workers receive more than the official cap.
Under Korea’s maternity leave system, eligible employees receive up to 90 days of leave, with longer periods granted for premature births or multiple births. A minimum portion of this leave is paid at 100 percent of the employee’s regular wage.
Support for parents using reduced working hours during childcare will also improve. The maximum benefit for this program will rise, allowing parents to receive higher compensation while temporarily working fewer hours to care for young children.
More Support for Employers Covering Parental Leave
To encourage the use of maternity leave, parental leave, and reduced working hours, the government is increasing subsidies for employers who hire replacement staff or redistribute workloads.
From 2026, small businesses will receive higher monthly support when hiring temporary replacement workers. The support period will also extend to cover an additional month after the employee returns to work, making transitions smoother for both employers and employees.
The payment system itself will be simplified so that employers receive the full subsidy during the replacement worker’s employment period, rather than in split installments.
Workload-sharing subsidies will also rise significantly, providing more meaningful compensation to employers who financially reward employees taking on extra duties while a colleague is on childcare-related leave.
New 10 a.m. Start-Time Option for Parents
A new policy will support parents who shift their workday start time to 10 a.m. while maintaining full pay, even if their total working hours are reduced by one hour per day.
To offset the cost to employers, the government will provide a monthly subsidy for each participating employee. This change is designed to help parents manage morning childcare responsibilities without sacrificing income.
Easier Access to Childcare Services
The government-run in-home childcare service, which provides trained caregivers for children under age 12, will become more accessible.
Income eligibility will expand to households earning up to 250 percent of the median income, allowing more middle-income families to qualify. Service hours will also increase for single-parent households and grandparent-led families.
Families living in population-decline areas will receive additional financial support toward out-of-pocket childcare costs, further reducing regional disparities.
Expanded Support for Single-Parent Families
Support for single-parent households will increase across multiple areas.
More families will qualify for child-rearing benefits as income thresholds rise, and monthly payments for unmarried parents, young single parents, and grandparent-led families will increase.
Educational support for children will also improve, with higher annual allowances for school supplies. In addition, funding for free legal assistance, medical support, and housing assistance will expand, helping families navigate legal disputes, health needs, and housing stability.
Living allowances for families residing in single-parent support facilities will double, and additional rental housing units will be secured to provide safer, more stable housing options.
Stronger Child Support Advance Payment System
The child support advance payment system, which allows the government to temporarily pay child support when a parent fails to do so, will be reinforced.
To improve efficiency, the government will expand staffing, simplify application procedures through digital authentication, and strengthen income and asset investigations for non-paying parents. These improvements aim to ensure faster support for children while improving long-term recovery of payments.
A Clear Shift Toward Family-Friendly Policy
Taken together, these changes signal a clear shift in Korea’s approach to family policy. Rather than focusing on isolated benefits, the government is building a more comprehensive system that supports parents at work, at home, and throughout their child’s development.
For families planning their future in Korea, 2026 marks a meaningful step toward broader, more practical support that reflects the realities of modern parenting.
Love Knows No Language: How Women from Non-English Speaking Countries Marry Koreans