The Ministry of Health and Welfare said on the 23rd that through last year's "preconception health management program" (fertility testing expense support program), 291,246 men and women ages 20 to 49 nationwide received support for tests.
This is about 3.7 times the tested population (77,989) from Apr.–Dec. 2024. As applicants increased, the testing age also fell. The average age, which was 32.9 for women and 34.5 for men in Apr.–Dec. 2024, dropped last year by 0.6 and 0.4 years to 32.3 and 34.1, respectively.
The number of eligible medical institutions also expanded from 1,154 in 2024 to 1,502 last year. The ministry has implemented the program since Apr. 2024.
The program subsidizes the expense of tests needed to confirm fertility for men and women ages 20 to 49. Women can receive up to 130,000 won for ovarian function testing (AMH) and gynecological ultrasound expenses, and men can receive up to 50,000 won for semen analysis expenses.
In the first year of implementation, the ministry supported only couples preparing for pregnancy and only once in a lifetime, but since last year it has expanded eligibility to all citizens ages 20 to 49 regardless of marital status or number of children. It supports once per life stage (0–29, 30–34, 35–49), up to three times.
A total of 34.3 billion won (15.5 billion won in national funds) is expected to be invested in this year's program. Applications for fertility test support can be submitted online through "e-Community Health Center" or in person at the public health center with jurisdiction over one's address.
Lee Sang-jin, director-general for population and child policy at the ministry, said, "Support for fertility testing expenses will help prevent and detect infertility early," adding, "We will develop the existing treatment expense-focused policy into an integrated model that also encompasses prevention and psychological support."