Taiwan's total fertility rate fell to just 0.695 in 2025, down from 0.885 the previous year. This is the world's lowest TFR prompting a fresh wave of government action. 

The government increased assisted reproduction subsidies from January 2026. The number of subsidised IVF cycles remains the same, but the subsidy itself has increased from NT$100,000 to NT$150,000 per attempt. This reduces the financial burden and increases the willingness for infertile couples to receive assisted reproductive technology. 

Newborn cash payouts were also increased alongside a broader 0 to 18 The Nation Raises Together initiative announced by President Lai Ching-te in May 2026. This provides NT$5,000 per month per child up to age 18 regardless of household income. 

The initiative was formalised through the Future Account Act passed by the Legislative Yuan on 24 July 2026. It combines a lump-sum future account with a monthly growth allowance worth up to roughly NT$1.14 million per child by adulthood. 

The National Development Council is also pursuing complementary reforms including expanded paternity leave, more flexible parental leave arrangements and greater childcare capacity. The objective is to ease the broader social and economic pressures discouraging young couples from having children. 

While these measures mark one of Taiwan's most substantial pronatalist packages to date, local commentators remain cautious about whether they will meaningfully reverse the birth-rate decline noting that housing costs, wages and work-life balance remain significant barriers.

Dr Mei-Jou Chen & Professor Eing-Mei Tsai
ASPIRE Country Representative for Taiwan

During the 28th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Indonesian Association of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, held in Banten in July, Honorary Fellowships of the Indonesian Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FISOG) were presented to distinguished international leaders in O&G.

The recipients of the Fellowships were:

• Professor Frank Louwen – President, FIGO
• Dr Nisha Khot – President, RANZCOG
• Professor John Tait – President, AOFOG
• Dr Bhaskar Pai – President, FOGSI
• Dr Jared Watts – Vice-President, RANZCOG
• Professor Rohana Haththotuwa – Secretary General, AOFOG
• Professor Benjamin Bopp – Past President, RANZCOG
• Professor Vijay Roach – Past President, RANZCOG
• Dr Rishma Pai – President-elect, IFFS; Past President, FOGSI
• Dr Hrishikesh Pai – Past President, FOGSI
• Dr Nandita Palshetkar – Past President, FOGSI
• Professor John Svigos – Senior Representative, RANZCOG

They were recognised for their exceptional contributions to the advancement of women's health, education and international professional collaboration. 

In addition to receiving Honorary Fellowships at the meeting in Banten, they contributed to the scientific program as external examiners, keynote speakers, panellists and invited faculty. 

In doing so, they further strengthening the exchange of knowledge and global partnerships.

Professor Hendy Hendarto
ASPIRE Country Representative for Indonesia

Highly respected reproductive medicine specialist, Dr Padma Rekha Jirge, has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of Fertility & Reproduction, the official journal of ASPIRE.

Dr Jirge brings extensive clinical, academic and leadership experience to her editorial role with F&R. 

She completed her Clinical Research Fellowship in Assisted Reproductive Technology at the University of Glasgow between 1995 and 1997 laying the foundation for a distinguished career in fertility and reproductive health.

Dr Jirge has been practising in Kolhapur since 1998, and her expertise includes IVF treatment, fertility preservation and reproductive endocrinology. She has also made major contributions to academic research in reproductive medicine.

She is a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and a Fellow of the Indian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Dr Jirge, who is President of the Fertility Preservation Society of India, previously served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences and later as deputy editor of F&R.

Recently she was honoured with full membership of Sigma Xi, the international scientific research society founded at Cornell University in 1886. This honour recognised Dr Jirge’s research on ovarian reserve, IVF outcomes and female genital tuberculosis-related infertility.

Sigma Xi features more than 200 Nobel laureates among its members including Albert Einstein, Richard Feynman, Francis Crick and Jennifer Doudna.

F&R is dedicated to the publication of original clinical and scientific research and review articles on the entire field of reproductive medicine and surgery. The journal will also consider publishing case reports and clinical trial outcomes.

Dr Jirge said: "F&R is the most appropriate platform for publishing high quality original research and, with Scopus indexing, the visibility has increased as seen by the increasing number of citations and submissions.  

“I urge researchers in the field of reproductive medicine from Asia Pacific region and beyond to consider it as a journal of choice to showcase their original work.”