What Does It Actually Cost to Have a Baby? A Breakdown for Employers
For many international employers in Asia, offering a generous maternity benefit has long been seen as a competitive advantage when attracting faculty and staff. But with medical inflation soaring and health insurance renewals putting pressure on budgets, many organizations are now asking: Is our maternity limit higher than it needs to be?
If your current maternity limit is US$15,000, US$20,000, or even unlimited, the answer might be yes — and scaling it back could be a smart way to reduce premiums without compromising care.
What Does Maternity Actually Cost?
In most countries across Asia and beyond, the cost of prenatal checkups and a natural delivery at a reputable private hospital typically falls well under US$10,000. For example:
| Country | Public Hospital (US$) | Private Hospital (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | $500 – $1,000 | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Vietnam | $300 – $600 | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Indonesia | $500 – $1,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Philippines | $400 – $800 | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Malaysia | $500 – $1,000 | $3,000 – $5,500 |
| Singapore | $1,500 – $2,000 | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| Hong Kong | $1,000 – $2,000 | $10,000 – $18,000 |
| China | $800 – $1,200 | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Japan | $1,000 – $2,000 | $6,000 – $10,000 |
| Korea | $1,000 – $1,800 | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Taiwan | $800 – $1,200 | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| India | $300 – $700 | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| Sri Lanka | $200 – $600 | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| UAE | $800 – $1,200 | $4,000 – $7,000 |
| Australia | N/A (public is free) | $6,000 – $10,000 |
| New Zealand | N/A (public is free) | $5,000 – $8,000 |
| UK | N/A (public is free) | $8,000 – $11,000 |
| Ireland | N/A (public is free) | $3,300 – $12,000 |
| France | N/A (public is free) | $2,500 – $4,000 |
| Belgium | N/A (public is free) | $2,750 – $4,500 |
| Netherlands | N/A (public is free) | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Germany | $0-$500 | $2,000 – $8,500 |
So Why Are You Paying for Unlimited?
We’ve worked with clients who had maternity limits of US$2 million and helped them reduce the limit to US$10,000. The result? Substantial savings, without compromising care. In 99.9% of cases (and we had the data to support this), the new limit was more than sufficient. The only real “risk” comes from people seeking care in the USA, where costs are notoriously high.
What Happens in an Emergency?
It’s worth emphasizing: maternity limits typically apply only to routine, elective maternity care. If a serious complication arises — such as a premature birth or emergency C-section — that’s usually covered under the standard policy maximum, which is often in the millions. Your employees will not be left without cover in a true emergency.
Annual Limits Span Two Policy Years
Another point that’s often overlooked: most maternity journeys span two policy years — meaning in many cases the available benefit limit is essentially doubled, depending on the plan design. That provides even more peace of mind when managing maternity benefits.
A Win-Win — If You Do It Right
Want to ensure that your new maternity limit still delivers a great experience for staff? That’s where One World Cover can help. We work with hospitals and clinics in your area to negotiate maternity packages that stay comfortably within your new limit — while still providing excellent care.
Reducing your maternity limit can unlock real savings — without compromising on care or experience. With the right plan structure and provider support, your employees can still access high-quality pre-natal and delivery care, and your organization can take control of spiraling premiums.
If you’re evaluating your benefits structure or looking for ways to manage your 2025 renewal costs, we’d love to help. Let’s talk.
