South Korea Birth Rate

Hankyoreh reports that  International Labour Organization  expert  Lee Sang-heon  urges South Korea to tackle its worker shortage from low birth rates with integrated family, employment, and migration policies, warning that reliance on low-wage migrant labor could exacerbate youth unemployment and social tensions.

New Security Beat article on South Korea’s declining birth rate highlights the transition from past population control efforts to modern, less effective pronatalist policies. While incentives are in place, the article argues that tackling gender inequality, rigid work culture, and childcare burdens is crucial. For real change, it emphasizes, policies must align with women’s needs and perspectives.

The Korea Times   Op-Ed observes a recent rise in South Korean births and marriages, aided by government incentives like increased parental leave pay and support for newlyweds. However, it suggests that sustaining this trend will require more than policy changes, calling for cultural shifts toward flexible work, shared childrearing responsibilities, and reduced burdens on parents, particularly mothers.

The Korea Herald reports that the Yoon administration plans a new population ministry and strategy to address South Korea’s low birth rate and aging population. Key measures include expanded pregnancy loss leave, flexible support for infertility treatments, and tax deferrals for family-friendly businesses. The government will also replace parenting terms with more positive language, marking a shift in its demographic approach.

Yonhap reports that South Korea plans to support work-family balance in SMEs by allowing companies with an “excellent” designation to defer tax audits. In response to low birth rates, the government also intends to extend leave for women after miscarriages or stillbirths from five to ten days and introduce leave for their partners. More details on these policies will be shared during an upcoming demographic emergency meeting, where a roadmap for a new population ministry is also expected.

Hankyoreh reports that economist Nancy Folbre, at the Asia Future Forum, attributed South Korea’s low birth rate crisis to rigid gender roles and intense job competition, which limit men’s family involvement and burden women with care work. She argues that addressing only child-rearing costs is insufficient without systemic reforms to balance gender roles and improve work-life support.

The Chosun Daily editorial notes a recent rise in South Korea’s birth and marriage rates, bringing cautious optimism about a potential stabilization of the low fertility rate. Experts cite delayed weddings and new policies, such as housing support and childcare benefits, as possible contributors. However, it's uncertain if the trend will continue, and sustained efforts are needed to promote marriage and parenthood through supportive policies.

Hankyoreh reports on the 2024 Asia Future Forum, which explored the causes of South Korea's low birth rate. Experts identified gender inequality and inadequate social support as key factors and called for systemic changes to address the shrinking population. The forum aimed to spark discussions on sustainable solutions for the country's demographic challenges.

Naver (via Allkpop )  reports that South Korea is seeing a rise in its birth rate for the first time in nine years, with August 2024 recording a 5.9% increase in births compared to the same month in 2023. The trend is attributed to a surge in marriages following the COVID-19 pandemic and government policies supporting newlyweds and parents. While 2024 is projected to surpass 2023 in total births, experts caution that the increase may be temporary, emphasizing the need for long-term policies to address the country’s low fertility rate.

The Chosun Daily reports  that South Korea’s labor force is now dominated by workers aged 60 and older, driven by an aging population and low birth rate. Many seniors continue working due to insufficient pensions, as life expectancy rises and the fertility rate remains low. This shift highlights the need for financial self-sufficiency among older workers.

Breitbart reports  that Seoul has launched a 24-hour hotline to tackle loneliness as part of a broader response to South Korea’s demographic crisis. With the world’s lowest birth rate, the aging population faces increasing isolation. Programs like social spaces and events, along with efforts to support ethnic Koreans returning from abroad, highlight the government's struggle to address both loneliness and the declining population.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that Jeju Island is offering newlyweds subsidized housing to combat South Korea’s low birth rate, the lowest in the world. Despite significant government spending, experts point to gender inequality as the main obstacle, with women shouldering most child-rearing responsibilities. While Jeju's initiative is a step forward, broader reforms are needed to improve family support and address gender inequality.

The Chosun Daily editorial  emphasizes that South Korea’s declining growth potential is closely linked to its extremely low birth rate, alongside an aging population. While demographic changes are unavoidable, the editorial argues that addressing the birth rate issue is critical to reversing the country’s economic slowdown. Structural reforms, such as boosting workforce participation, improving education, and fostering innovation, are necessary to combat the long-term effects of the declining birth rate.

UCANews   article  argues that South Korea faces dual crises: a plummeting birth rate and growing sexual exploitation of women. The rise of deepfakes and the sexualization in K-pop culture reflect deep-rooted misogyny, worsening gender divides. As young women feel devalued and insecure, they are less inclined to embrace marriage and motherhood, fueling the country’s demographic decline.

Gulf News reports that Japan and South Korea are both grappling with aging populations and declining birth rates, severely affecting military recruitment. South Korea, in particular, struggles to meet military recruitment goals, with only 77% achieved in 2022. Both nations are turning to AI and robotics to offset the shrinking workforce, while South Korea’s low birth rate continues to pose challenges to national security and defense readiness.

The Korea Bizwire   reports that a recent survey shows rising interest in marriage and parenthood among young South Koreans, with 65% of unmarried respondents intending to marry, and positive attitudes toward having children increasing, especially among women in their 30s. However, less than 10% of parents plan to have more children, citing financial burdens and childcare challenges. Public awareness of government policies addressing the low birth rate is high.

The Independent reports that South Korea awarded medals to two women for having 13 children each, as part of efforts to tackle its fertility crisis. Despite financial incentives, the country’s birth rate remains the lowest globally due to rising living costs, career challenges, and societal pressures. President Yoon Suk-yeol declared it a national emergency, establishing a new ministry to address the issue as the country grapples with the burdens of raising children.

New York Times piece  ( archive ) discusses how governments across the developed world are struggling to reverse declining birth rates despite numerous initiatives. In South Korea, despite spending billions on pro-natal policies, the birth rate remains the lowest globally, largely due to cultural factors such as high costs, career pressures, and changing societal values. While countries like Japan have introduced childcare subsidies, parental leave, and pro-marriage initiatives, these policies have had limited success in increasing fertility rates, indicating deeper issues need to be addressed.

Omnes Magazine  column discusses discusses the declining birth rates in modern industrial societies, with South Korea being a prominent example of this global trend. Despite it spending billions to encourage child rearing, cultural factors like the pursuit of status and career over family remain significant barriers. Countries like Georgia and Mongolia successfully increased birth rates by elevating the status of motherhood, suggesting that honoring motherhood, not just financial incentives, is key to reversing the trend.

The Telegraph discusses global concerns about declining birth rates, highlighting South Korea as a key example of the crisis. South Korea faces a demographic collapse if current trends continue, raising concerns about its future. Immigration is considered a temporary solution, but deeper cultural and economic pressures, such as the high cost of living and childcare, need addressing. The article questions whether modern life is inherently unsustainable for population growth.

South China Morning Post  article that claims  a retired air force officer proposed conscripting women to boost South Korea’s birth rate by encouraging relationships through military service. The idea faced backlash, with critics accusing him of using the military for matchmaking. South Korea continues to struggle with the world’s lowest fertility rate despite various government efforts.

Hankyoreh   reports that for the first time, South Koreans in their 60s outnumber those in their 40s, with 7.77 million people aged 60-69 compared to 7.76 million in their 40s, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. This shift highlights Korea's aging population, where the average age has risen to 45.2 years.

A Hankyoreh poll reveals that 88% of Koreans believe their society is not conducive to raising children, with 65% feeling there is inadequate support for parents. Financial burdens, competitive pressures, and long-term parental responsibilities discourage marriage and childbirth. The low societal trust and high stress levels contribute to the declining birth rate, as individuals weigh the challenges of raising children in an environment with insufficient support.

Mercator highlights South Korea’s demographic crisis, worsened by ultra-low fertility and an aging population. Despite government efforts, issues like work culture and the gender pay gap persist. Professor Sojung Lim proposes recognizing parenting as public service, with universal parental leave and increased child support to shift societal priorities and improve work-life balance, aiming to reverse the declining birth rate.

Hankyoreh reports that 84% of South Korean women see having children as disadvantageous, contributing to the country's low birth rate. Gender disparities in marriage, child-raising, and career sacrifices discourage women from having children, with many viewing these responsibilities as unfairly distributed compared to men. This gender gap plays a key role in South Korea's fertility crisis.

Nikkei Asia reports that South Korea's pension system faces collapse by 2055 due to an aging population and low birth rates. President Yoon's proposal to raise contribution rates and adjust benefits is met with resistance from both the public and opposition. These demographic challenges are straining the system, raising concerns about future pension sustainability and growing elderly poverty.

Nikkei Asia article highlights South Korea's rapidly aging population and its low birth rate, which hit a record low in 2023. With the elderly expected to make up 40% of the population by 2050, businesses are shifting their focus to the "silver economy," catering to older consumers. This shift is driven by the demographic crisis, as more young people opt to remain childless due to economic pressures. The growing elderly population has sparked a demand for new products and services that support active lifestyles in old age.

The Chosun Daily reports that South Korea's demographic shift has reached a significant milestone, as the number of people in their 60s has surpassed those in their 40s for the first time. This change, driven by the aging baby boomer generation, highlights the country's low birthrate and rapid aging, reshaping its generational makeup. Experts suggest that measures such as extending the retirement age and reforming the pension system will be necessary to address the long-term economic and societal challenges posed by this shift.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey argues that South Korea's demographic crisis, particularly its low birthrate, is intricately tied to societal status. The pressure to maintain or elevate social standing influences decisions on marriage and childbearing. High costs of raising children, education pressures, and gender roles discourage family formation. Frey suggests that by redefining status—promoting family life as a prestigious endeavor and offering supportive policies—South Korea can turn the pursuit of status into a tool to address its declining birthrate and improve societal well-being.

Hankyoreh interviews  an urban planner who argues that population decline is inevitable, particularly in countries like South Korea. Instead of focusing on reversing the trend, he advocates for adapting to a no-growth world by improving quality of life. Attempts to boost birth rates are unlikely to succeed and efforts should shift towards enhancing public goods, localizing economies, and creating more livable communities. He stresses the need to move away from equating population growth with success and embrace sustainable development.

EIN ( via WDHN) reports that The Maxwell Leadership Institute is proposing a multifaceted intervention to address South Korea’s national emergency caused by the low birth rate and aging population. Despite spending 383 trillion won over 18 years to boost birth rates, the rate continues to fall, reaching it's lowest level in early 2024 and projected to drop even further by year-end. MLI's approach goes beyond financial solutions, aiming to tackle root causes like low engagement, mental health, and societal divisions, providing a comprehensive response to the country’s demographic crisis.

The Korea Economic Daily reports that South Korea’s finance minister and central bank chief agreed to jointly address the country’s demographic crisis caused by the world’s lowest birth rate. They emphasized structural reforms to sustain economic growth, attract foreign talent, and boost birth rates, while also focusing on balanced regional development and managing challenges from AI’s impact on the workforce.