Obstetrics departments close due to declining birth rate in Taiwan

台灣生育率下降，導致婦產科關閉

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s declining birth rate is forcing hospitals to close or scale back obstetrics departments, prompting the Health Ministry to boost maternity subsidies and implement new safety measures for pregnant women, per Liberty Times.

Last year, 23 medical institutions either shut down obstetrics departments or changed their operations due to declining demand. The ministry is reviewing policies to potentially triple previous maternity payments, targeting rural areas that may no longer be able to sustain childbirth services. Implementation is expected in the second half of 2026.

Taiwan has seen 61 consecutive months of declining births. The number of newborns in 2025 fell below 108,000, down from around 130,000 in previous years, with February recording a historic low of just 6,523 births.

Huang Chien-pei (黃建霈), secretary-general of the Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said about 200 institutions currently provide childbirth services, but existing benefits are insufficient to cover personnel and equipment costs. This shortfall has driven obstetricians away and forced closures, creating a cycle of reduced access to care.

Health Minister Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said the government is proposing a 50% increase in maternity benefits for natural and cesarean births, with high-risk pregnancies receiving double coverage. Severe cases such as placenta previa or postpartum hemorrhage could see reimbursements triple the original amount. Hospitalization and consultation fees for high-risk pregnancies will also rise, with a budget exceeding NT$1 billion (US$32.2 million).

The ministry plans to establish a safety net by assessing all 51 medical regions in Taiwan. Areas with only one or two maternity hospitals will implement a “lighthouse hospital” model to maintain basic obstetrics operations even amid declining births, ensuring access to care for pregnant women and new mothers.

Shih said the combination of rising maternal age and declining birth rates has intensified pressure on obstetrics departments. He expressed hope that the two-pronged approach of increasing reimbursements and securing regional coverage will help address the public health challenge.