South Korea Birth Rate

Independent reports that South Korea’s fertility rate is set to rise to 0.74 in 2024, the first increase in nine years, following upticks in marriages and births. Despite this, the population will continue to decline due to higher death rates. The government, addressing the crisis as a “national emergency,” is boosting financial and childcare support to sustain this recovery.

The Independent reports that South Korea has become the first country to replace over 10% of its industrial workforce with robots, driven by a shrinking labor pool due to low birth rates. With 1,102 robots per 10,000 employees, South Korea leads globally in robot density, supported by $2.4 billion in government investment under its Fourth Intelligent Robot Basic Plan. The initiative aims to expand robotics across industries, addressing workforce shortages caused by the country’s demographic challenges.

INQUIRER.net   reports on South Korea’s efforts to tackle its declining birth rate through better work-life balance. Measures include extended parental leave, increased subsidies, and incentives for family-friendly workplaces. Companies like Ma:nyo showcase the benefits of flexible work policies, with a rise in employee birth rates. Experts emphasize shifting workplace culture and promoting shared childcare responsibilities to encourage family growth, as parents increasingly value policies that support both careers and caregiving.

The Korea Bizwire reports that experts at a population strategy forum highlighted work-life integration as essential to tackling South Korea’s low birth rate. They stressed the need to shift away from traditional gender roles and eliminate workplace stigmas around parental leave. Recommendations include redefining worker profiles to support caregiving and adopting task-based personnel management. The government pledged to lead efforts to prevent career penalties for parenting.

Business Korea article reports on the IMF’s lowered growth forecast for South Korea, reducing the 2025 projection to 2.0% due to economic uncertainty and structural challenges. As part of its recommendations, the IMF stresses the need to address South Korea’s demographic crisis, urging reforms to ease barriers to childbirth, increase women’s workforce participation, and attract foreign talent. These steps are essential to counter the shrinking labor force and support long-term economic stability.

The Banner-Press reports  ( archive ) on a global survey by Ipsos showing Japanese and South Koreans ranking lowest in satisfaction with their romantic and sexual lives, a trend tied to their demographic crises. Only 45% of South Koreans reported sexual satisfaction, second worst globally, and they ranked lowest in satisfaction with partner relationships. With the world’s lowest fertility rate, South Korea’s romantic dissatisfaction highlights deeper societal challenges contributing to declining birth rates, despite government efforts to reverse the trend.

Yonhap reports that nearly 7 in 10 married women in South Korea aged 15-54 have experienced career breaks due to child-rearing, pregnancy, or marriage, with 1.22 million women leaving the workforce in 2024. Long interruptions of over 10 years are common. This trend aligns with South Korea's record-low fertility rate of 0.72 in 2023, as many delay or avoid parenthood. Despite government childcare support, these efforts have yet to reverse declining birth rates.

BusinessKorea   reports on a survey showing shifting attitudes in South Korea, with nearly half viewing marriage as unnecessary due to financial pressures and job insecurity. Acceptance of cohabitation and having children outside marriage is increasing. There’s also growing support for shared societal responsibility in elderly care. To boost birth rates, respondents prioritize housing support, job creation, and improved work-life balance.

Observer Research Foundation   article discusses how South Korea’s declining birth rate is not just an economic issue but also a national security concern. With the world’s lowest fertility rate, South Korea faces a shrinking pool of military recruits, threatening its defense capabilities. While technology is being leveraged to offset troop shortages, experts suggest that solutions like increased female recruitment and immigration may be needed to sustain military and economic stability amidst rising regional tensions.

The Spectator explores  ( archive ) the global trend of declining birth rates and aging populations, highlighting the quiet, empty towns that symbolize this shift. In South Korea, Jeju Island exemplifies the issue with its rapidly aging population and a fertility rate below one child per woman. Once vibrant with young haenyeo divers, Jeju now faces school closures and a predominantly elderly populace, reflecting a broader demographic crisis that could impact economic and social stability as fewer young people replace the aging generations.

Elle    investigates South Korea’s 4B movement, where women protest misogyny by rejecting marriage, relationships, and childbearing. This stance, driven by frustrations over gender-based violence and inadequate legal protections, indirectly contributes to South Korea's low birth rate, the world’s lowest. The 4B movement reflects a challenge to traditional gender roles, suggesting that without addressing gender equity, efforts to raise the birth rate may face significant social resistance.

River Front Times   explores how South Korea is addressing its low birth rate with policies that support young families, including flexible work hours, expanded parental leave, financial aid, and affordable housing. While these measures aim to ease financial and logistical barriers to parenthood, broader societal changes toward family inclusivity may be needed for sustained impact on birth rates.

The Korea Times  (via MSN ) reports that Seoul will expand fertility testing support to include single adults next year as part of efforts to address low birth rates. The program will cover fertility tests for unmarried Seoul residents aged 25-49, aiming to help identify health factors affecting future pregnancy potential. This expansion reflects a focus on proactive health management for both men and women, with a dedicated budget allocated to support the initiative.

The South China Morning Post   reports that South Korean local matchmaking programs are being criticized for low marriage success, especially in rural areas with few female participants. Some events even required female government employees to balance gender ratios. Young women increasingly move to cities, worsening rural gender gaps, while surveys show a declining interest in marriage among women, casting doubt on these programs' effectiveness.

October 2024 saw South Korea intensify its response to the declining birth rate, introducing a series of government, workplace, and community-focused initiatives aimed at creating a more supportive environment for families. The month also marked a significant moment in public discourse, with the Asia Future Forum facilitating broader discussions on solutions, signaling a shift towards more open debate on addressing these demographic challenges. Key Highlights: New Population Ministry: The government announced plans for a ministry dedicated to population strategy, coordinating long-term approaches to the birth rate issue. Expanded Parental Leave: Policies now offer extended leave for pregnancy loss and spousal support, reflecting a more inclusive approach to family needs. Incentives for Family-Friendly Businesses: Companies recognized for supporting work-life balance can receive tax deferrals, encouraging more workplaces to adopt family-oriented policies. Flexible Parental Leave Opt...

Newsweek reports that South Korea, facing a "national emergency" over its declining birth rate, has introduced expanded parental leave, tax incentives for family-friendly workplaces, and improved postpartum care. Policies also include financial support for fertility treatments and flexible parental leave options. Despite a minor recent rise in births, likely due to delayed pandemic marriages, officials seek to make family life more appealing amid evolving social norms and high living costs.