Seoul, June 24 โ South Korea is facing its most serious demographic challenge in history. The country's fertility rate, now only 0.72 children per woman โ far below the population replacement level of 2.1 โ is the lowest among all countries recognized by the UN. This means that for each generation, the Korean population will be halved, a trajectory that, if not addressed, will lead to severe economic and social collapse within decades.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the South Korean government has launched the most comprehensive policy package ever devised to address the issue of low birth rates. With the largest budget allocation in South Korean history for this issue, the package includes various incentives from direct cash payments to couples with children, to large childcare subsidies, to expanded and enhanced maternity and paternity leave, to special housing facilities for young families.
However, social analysts emphasize that the problem runs deeper than just a lack of financial incentives. Young Koreans, especially young women, are increasingly choosing not to marry or have children due to excessive economic pressure, very high living costs, particularly in Seoul, excessive work pressure, and the perception that having children will end their careers, especially for women.
The "sampo" social movement โ referring to the youth generation who give up on three things: marriage, children, and romantic relationships โ reflects the desperation felt by many young Koreans who feel trapped in a system that does not offer them meaningful choices.
The new package tries to address the root causes of these issues, not just the symptoms. Workplace reforms to ensure that maternity and paternity leave can be taken without career pressure, housing reforms to allow young couples to afford or rent adequate housing, and education system reforms to reduce the burdensome examination pressure that is one of the main reasons why the youth of South Korea avoid having families.