South Korea Birth Rate

The Korea Times reports  that South Korea’s plummeting birth rate is reshaping higher education, with universities facing severe enrollment declines and financial strain. As student numbers shrink, institutions outside the capital are merging and shifting toward vocational programs, supported by government subsidies. Experts warn that these survival strategies could erode academic diversity, turning universities into job training centers rather than research hubs. The crisis is also fueling intense competition for medical school spots, as students seek secure career paths in a shrinking labor market.

Economic Times reports that South Korea sees artificial intelligence (AI) as a potential tool to address industrial challenges and demographic issues, including its low birth rate. Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun announced plans to foster AI development through public-private partnerships, infrastructure for advanced robotics, and reforms to energy and business policies. While South Korea faces an aging population and declining birth rates, the government hopes technological advancements can help mitigate these pressures alongside recent modest gains in birth numbers.

The Korea Bizwire reports that Statistics Korea is launching a Population Dynamics Panel to analyze how factors like income, education, and childcare support influence marriage and childbirth patterns. Tracking individuals born from 1983 to 1995, the study aims to inform targeted policies to address South Korea’s low birth rate. This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance statistical data, address regional population trends, and modernize economic and welfare analysis, providing insights to combat the demographic crisis.

Chosun Biz reports that Statistics Korea is launching a Population Dynamics Panel to analyze the social and economic factors affecting marriage and childbirth. By tracking individuals born between 1983 and 1995, the panel aims to identify trends and develop tailored policies to address the country’s low birth rate. The initiative integrates detailed life-event data to explore influences like income, education, and caregiving support on family planning decisions.

Chosun Biz reports that Seoul is investing 3.2 trillion won in initiatives to boost birth rates, including housing subsidies for families with children, discounted parenting supplies, and expanded daycare services. Newlyweds will benefit from wedding expense support, and long-term affordable housing options will be expanded for families and caregivers. Small businesses and freelancers will also receive support for parental leave. Recent data shows a modest increase in marriages and birth rates, and the city aims to sustain this upward trend.

Sinar Daily reports that the emergence of South Korea’s "4B Movement," where young women reject dating, marriage, and childbirth, highlights societal shifts contributing to the country’s record-low birth rate. Economic pressures, such as unaffordable housing and costly childcare, combined with workplace discrimination and incidents exposing misogyny, have intensified frustrations, shaping attitudes toward relationships and parenthood amid the ongoing demographic crisis.

Blind Magazine explores the struggles of South Korean youth in an intensely competitive society, highlighting their disconnection from traditional norms and its link to the country’s demographic crisis. Photographs capture young people resisting societal expectations, revealing how rigid definitions of success, combined with the world’s lowest birth rate and highest youth suicide rate among developed nations, reflect a deeper cultural issue. Yang suggests that meaningful change may require future generations to challenge entrenched norms and redefine societal values.

Herald Malaysia reports that the Catholic Church in South Korea is addressing the dual crisis of rapid aging and low birth rates, emphasizing intergenerational connection and care for the elderly. With 20% of the population over 65 and the world's lowest fertility rate, the nation faces rising single-person households, loneliness, and solitary deaths. Public acceptance of euthanasia is growing, but the Church advocates dignity and support for the elderly while calling for societal and cultural solutions to bridge generational divides.

The Korea Herald reports that Gangnam district in Seoul recorded a 15% increase in births last year, the highest growth among the city’s 25 districts, despite South Korea's overall low fertility rates. The district’s success is attributed to expanded childbirth benefits, including cash incentives, subsidies for postpartum care, and transportation support, which have significantly boosted birth numbers in the area.

Korea Herald reports on an interview with Darrell Bricker, co-author of Empty Planet, discussing South Korea’s declining birthrate. Bricker emphasizes cultural shifts, particularly changing expectations of women and the limited role of men in childcare, as major factors. Bricker argues that reversing population decline is unlikely, as people no longer feel obligated to have children, and policies can only slow the trend. Immigration may provide temporary relief, but long-term solutions require addressing deep-rooted cultural and societal values.

Vijesti/BBC reports that South Korea is increasingly using matchmaking services and government-led dating events to address declining marriage and birth rates. While demand for such services has risen, critics argue the government overlooks key issues like poor work-life balance, job insecurity for women, and high living costs that perpetuate the demographic crisis.

The Korea Herald reports that the number of unmarried individuals in their 40s has increased significantly over two decades, reflecting trends of later marriages and lifelong singlehood. This shift, highlighted in a Statistics Korea report, is seen as a factor contributing to South Korea's ultra-low birth rate. The report also noted declining positive perceptions of marriage, with intentions to marry linked to favorable education, economic, and health conditions.

Times of India reports that South Korea recorded its first increase in newborns in nine years, with 242,334 babies born in 2024, a 3.1% rise from the previous year. Despite this improvement, the overall population continues to decline, and South Korea officially became a "super-aged society" in 2024, with 20% of its population aged 65 and older. These demographic shifts highlight the ongoing challenges of balancing an aging population with low fertility rates.

Newsweek reports that South Korea continues to struggle with its population crisis despite extensive policy efforts, including expanded parental leave, subsidized housing loans, and increased support for postpartum care. New initiatives aim to boost father participation in parental leave and alleviate financial burdens for families, but political instability has delayed key measures, including the creation of a dedicated population ministry. Experts remain skeptical about significant progress as the nation faces persistent demographic challenges.

The Korea Bizwire reports that South Korea remains at the forefront of global demographic challenges, as experts warn of population decline despite years of policy efforts. British demographer David Coleman highlights the importance of reducing work culture intensity and supporting families through consistent policies. He emphasizes that South Korea's ability to mitigate its demographic crisis could set a global example, but significant societal and institutional changes are needed to reverse current trends.

Hankyoreh reports that over half of South Koreans of reproductive age view a child-free lifestyle as acceptable, with negative attitudes toward having children particularly common among women, young adults, and low-income workers. Financial burdens, housing instability, and work-life balance challenges were cited as key obstacles, reflecting shifting societal values on parenthood.

December 2024 brought significant developments in South Korea's demographic landscape, with notable policy initiatives and shifts in societal attitudes aimed at addressing the nation's low birth rate and aging population. Key Highlights: Housing Support for Newborns: The government increased the priority supply rate for newlywed couples with newborns in private housing from 20% to 35%, reallocating resources to support families with young children. Record Low Birth Rate: South Korea's birth rate reached an all-time low, prompting experts to warn of potential population halving by 2100, with economic and social systems at risk. Acceptance of Nonmarital Childbirth: Support for nonmarital childbirth nearly doubled since 2008, with 37% now in favor, particularly among younger generations, indicating evolving societal norms. Super-Aged Society Status: South Korea entered the "super-aged society" category ahead of predictions, with 20% of its population now aged 65...