South Korea’s Push to Address Its Demographic Crisis

South Korea has taken bold steps to encourage young people to marry and start families, following a declaration of a "national demographic crisis" by now-impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. The government has introduced various measures to tackle the country’s persistently low birth rates, including plans to create a new ministry dedicated to addressing this issue. These efforts reflect the gravity of the situation, as South Korea faces one of the world’s lowest fertility rates, which threatens its long-term economic and social stability.

A Shift in Social Values and the Impact of the Pandemic

According to Park Hyun-jung, an official at Statistics Korea, there has been a noticeable shift in societal attitudes toward marriage and childbirth. "There was a change in social value, with more positive views about marriage and childbirth," Park noted during a briefing. This change, combined with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed many life milestones, has contributed to a recent uptick in marriages and births. While it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how much each factor has influenced the increase, Park emphasized that these elements have interacted in complex ways, creating a ripple effect that has helped reverse some of the previous declines.

A Significant Increase in Marriages and Births

The latest data shows a marked increase in marriages, which is a key indicator of future birth rates. In 2024, marriages surged by 14.9%, the largest jump since records began in 1970. This follows a 1.0% increase in 2023, marking the first rise in 11 years. The post-pandemic era appears to have played a significant role in this trend, as young couples who postponed their plans during the pandemic are now taking steps to start their lives together. In South Korea, there is a strong correlation between marriage and childbirth, with a time lag of one to two years, as marriage is often viewed as a prerequisite for having children.

Regional Variations in Birth Rates

Despite these positive trends, significant regional disparities remain. The birthrate in Seoul, the capital, was the lowest in the country in 2023, standing at just 0.58. This highlights the challenges urban areas face in encouraging families to have more children, often due to higher living costs, busy lifestyles, and limited housing options. On the other hand, the administrative city of Sejong was the only major city where the population grew, suggesting that smaller, more manageable urban centers may offer more family-friendly environments.

The Ongoing Challenge of Population Decline

The demographic crisis in South Korea is far from over. The latest data revealed that there were 120,000 more deaths than births in 2023, marking the fifth consecutive year of natural population decline. This trend is expected to continue, with projections showing that the country’s population, which peaked at 51.83 million in 2020, could drop to just 36.22 million by 2072. These stark numbers underscore the urgency of the government’s efforts to reverse the downward trend and ensure the long-term sustainability of South Korea’s economy and society.

The Road Ahead for South Korea’s Demographic Future

While South Korea has made some progress in encouraging marriage and childbirth, the road ahead remains challenging. The government’s measures, including the creation of a new ministry focused on demographic issues, will need to address not only the economic and social barriers to starting a family but also the deeply ingrained cultural attitudes that have contributed to the low birth rate. By continuing to promote positive views of marriage and parenthood, as well as creating supportive policies for young families, South Korea hopes to build a more sustainable demographic future and ensure the vitality of its society for generations to come.