The Role of Status in South Korea’s Demographic Dilemma (FuturistSpeaker/3 Oct 2024)

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.