Taiwan's government has unveiled a record 3.93 trillion NT dollar budget for next year that is balanced with no deficit — good news for health care, families, and young adults, though it leans heavily on cooperation from local governments.

• Next year's central government budget tops 3.9 trillion NT dollars, with spending matched to revenue and no deficit, a rarity in recent years.
• Three areas each cross the trillion mark: defense, social welfare, and money sent down to local governments.
• National health insurance spending passes a trillion for the first time, with an extra 60 billion added to keep the system solvent.
• A 373 billion package targets Taiwan's falling birth rate — a 5,000 monthly child allowance plus child care, education, workplace, and housing measures.
• A smaller mental health program gives working-age adults three free counseling sessions a year, expected to reach 100,000 visits.

Outlook: The spending plans now depend on central and local governments actually working together to deliver them.