South Korea Birth Rate

Guardian reports  that South Korea's birth rate fell to a record low of 0.72 in 2023, despite government spending over $270 billion since 2006 on incentives like cash subsidies and childcare support. The population is projected to nearly halve by 2100 due to financial burdens, high living costs, and cultural expectations on women. Major political parties are proposing measures to tackle the issue, which is also affecting other East Asian countries like Japan.

BBC article discussing South Korea's lowest-in-the-world birth rate, highlighting the increasing trend of women opting out of motherhood due to high living costs, demanding work culture, and insufficient support for working mothers, despite government incentives.

Straights Times reports that certain South Korean companies are offering up to 100 million won per child to employees as part of birth incentive programs to address the country's record-low fertility rate of 0.78. Despite these efforts and government support, many workers doubt that financial incentives alone will significantly increase birth rates without better workplace policies and job security.

The Washington Post reports  on South Korean corporate efforts to encourage childbirth through financial incentives. Companies like Booyoung Group and Hyundai are offering substantial payouts to employees who have children, as the country faces a demographic crisis with a shrinking and aging population. However, experts argue that financial incentives alone may not be enough, highlighting the need for broader changes in South Korea's male-dominated corporate culture to support working women.