At a press conference on the theme of “Starting the 15th Five-Year Plan” series held by the State Information Office this morning, relevant officials from the Ministry of Finance explained that China is continuously increasing efforts to protect and improve people's livelihood and welfare. Data show that in 2026, the national general public budget allocates 12.4 trillion yuan for education, social security, health, housing, etc., an increase of 5.4% over the previous year, higher than the increase of 1 percentage point in the national general public budget expenditure. The relevant person in charge explained: The social security network is getting tighter and tighter. It is estimated that more than 44 million people will receive basic living assistance such as subsistence insurance and support for special hardship cases throughout this year. The “one old, one small” service guarantee is stronger. This year, special funding was allocated to support free influenza vaccination for people aged 65 and above in rural areas. More than 25 million infants and their families received childcare allowances in 2026. In terms of basic medical and health services, the financial subsidy standard for residents' health insurance has been further raised this year, reducing the burden of medical expenses on the public. Support the implementation of the bivalent HPV vaccine as part of the national immunization plan. In terms of education, more than 160 billion yuan of financial aid has been issued to students, and 150 million people are expected to benefit throughout the year. In response to the long-term care problem of “one person is disabled and the whole family is unbalanced,” the central financial administration is promoting the speedy establishment of a long-term care insurance system. At the same time, more than 12 billion yuan has been allocated to implement a nationwide pension service consumption subsidy program for moderately or above disabled elderly people, benefiting nearly 2 million disabled elderly people.

At a press conference on the theme of “Starting the 15th Five-Year Plan” series held by the State Information Office this morning, relevant officials from the Ministry of Finance explained that China is continuously increasing efforts to protect and improve people's livelihood and welfare. Data show that in 2026, the national general public budget allocates 12.4 trillion yuan for education, social security, health, housing, etc., an increase of 5.4% over the previous year, higher than the increase of 1 percentage point in the national general public budget expenditure. The relevant person in charge explained: The social security network is getting tighter and tighter. It is estimated that more than 44 million people will receive basic living assistance such as subsistence insurance and support for special hardship cases throughout this year. The “one old, one small” service guarantee is stronger. This year, special funding was allocated to support free influenza vaccination for people aged 65 and above in rural areas. More than 25 million infants and their families received childcare allowances in 2026. In terms of basic medical and health services, the financial subsidy standard for residents' health insurance has been further raised this year, reducing the burden of medical expenses on the public. Support the implementation of the bivalent HPV vaccine as part of the national immunization plan. In terms of education, more than 160 billion yuan of financial aid has been issued to students, and 150 million people are expected to benefit throughout the year. In response to the long-term care problem of “one person is disabled and the whole family is unbalanced,” the central financial administration is promoting the speedy establishment of a long-term care insurance system. At the same time, more than 12 billion yuan has been allocated to implement a nationwide pension service consumption subsidy program for moderately or above disabled elderly people, benefiting nearly 2 million disabled elderly people.