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South Korea Plans New Ministry to Combat Low Birth Rates

In order to address South Korea's demographic crisis, President Yoon Suk Yeol has announced intentions to establish the Ministry of Low Birth Rate Counter Planning.

As South Korea faces an imminent demographic crisis, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared on Thursday that he intended to create a new ministry to address the nation’s consistently low birth rate, which is now the lowest in the world.

President Yoon asked the parliament to work with him in reorganizing the government so that the Ministry of Low Birth Rate Counter Planning may be established during a live speech to the country.

According to official data, South Korea’s birth rate reached a record low last year despite significant investments meant to encourage women to have more children and maintain demographic stability. The country has one of the lowest birth rates and one of the longest life expectancies in the world, which presents a serious demographic concern. According to preliminary data provided in February by Statistics Korea, South Korea’s fertility rate fell to 0.72 in 2023, about eight percent lower than the previous year. The replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, which is required to maintain the existing 51 million-person population, is far lower than this rate. Experts predict that if current trends continue, the population may almost decrease by 2100.

South Korea’s birth rate of 0.72 is the lowest among OECD nations, with the average age for childbirth standing at 33.6, the highest in the OECD.

Despite extensive government initiatives, such as cash subsidies, childcare services, and support for infertility treatments, aimed at incentivizing childbirth, the birth rate has continued its downward trend.

President Yoon’s proposal for a ministry dedicated to addressing the birth rate issue precedes his first press conference in almost two years, following his party’s significant defeat in the general elections last month.

South Korea can learn from other nations that have effectively tackled low birth rates through creative policies and programs in addition to its own domestic efforts. Policymakers can learn useful lessons about how to encourage reproduction and maintain population growth by examining best practices and modifying them for the Korean setting. But tackling South Korea’s demographic issues calls for a multifaceted strategy that goes beyond official actions. Establishing and maintaining a healthy ecosystem that is conducive to family formation and childrearing requires collaboration with academic institutions, civil society organizations, and business sector stakeholders. South Korea may create a more robust and dynamic society for coming generations by coordinating efforts and establishing collaborations.

In order to address South Korea’s demographic crisis, President Yoon Suk Yeol’s plan to create a Ministry of Low Birth Rate Counter Planning is a major step forward. The government may create an atmosphere where people feel empowered to pursue family life by giving priority to laws and programs that encourage family-friendly settings, change labor laws, question cultural conventions, and increase funding for housing and childcare. South Korea can overcome the difficulties caused by low birth rates and create a sustainable future for its people by working together and putting up coordinated effort.

 

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