제 26 호 South Korea Is Over
Kicker: SOCIETY
South Korea Is Over
The Future of Korea Shaped by Low Birth Rates
By Jung - Hyun Kang, Trainee - Reporter
There are concerns that Korea's serious low birth rate problem will pose unpredictable challenges to future generations. Experts predict that Korea's future is not positive at all, and at the center of it all is the world's lowest birth rate. Korea, which has achieved economic development known as the “Miracle on the Han River” and has grown into a world-class cultural powerhouse, is recently being perceived by the younger generation as a 'land they want to escape from' rather than a 'land of opportunity'. This change in perception and the low birth rate phenomenon are difficult to perceive at present, but there is a high possibility that it will cause a serious social crisis in the future. When I asked to three young people in their 20s, "Do you plan to get married and have children?", the majority responded that "I am more worried about employment and tuition right now, and I want to enjoy the present rather than get married and have children." This response suggests that the low birth rate problem is closely related to social structural issues beyond simple personal choice. If the current low birth rate trend continues, future generations are expected to face various unexpected social problems.
Why It’s a Problem
South Korea’s birth rate dropped to a record low of 0.72 in 2024, and Seoul’s rate fell to a staggering 0.55. These figures represent more than just statistics – they reflect a society heading toward irreversible decline. Economically, the labor force is shrinking, threatening pensions and long-term growth. Culturally, younger generations are disappearing, and the creation of new ideas and content is diminishing. Politically, older generations dominate elections, and policies skew heavily toward retirees rather than future parents. The nation’s average age is projected to reach 61 by 2060, with over 50% of the population aged 65 or older. Only 10% will be under 25. This will lead to deserted towns, overpopulated nursing homes, and a collapsing welfare system. These changes will not only affect Korea's economy but will also erode its social and cultural identity. Without new generations to sustain and innovate, the nation's future looks deeply uncertain.
How We Got Here
Ironically, Korea once fought overpopulation with campaigns like "Have only two children, regardless of gender" in the 1970s and "Even two is too many" in the 1980s. These efforts worked too well. Yet, the reversal came too late. Even as birth rates plunged in the 1990s, comprehensive pro-natalist strategies were absent.Under the Moon Jae-in Administration, the focus shifted from increasing fertility to improving parental quality of life. While this approach brought financial aid and promoted gender equality, it failed to create a supportive environment for family life. Campaigns promoting marriage and parenting disappeared, and some public messages even normalized non-marriage and non-parenthood.Younger Koreans, particularly women in their 20s and 30s, now question whether they want children at all. A 2021 survey showed only 30% of women in their 20s believed having children was necessary. The reasons? Crushing housing prices, intense work hours, low wages, and societal expectations that women sacrifice their careers for motherhood. The state’s attempts to address the problem feel like too little, too late.Boring as it may sound, even these repetitive explanations matter. The most important thing is that most people should be concerned about this. South Korea is currently more developed and prosperous than ever before. If you are worried about the future 30 years from now, it is enough to perceive this negatively.
How to Fix It
Fixing Korea’s birth rate problem is not about encouraging more births overnight. It requires rebuilding trust in the future. First, job and housing stability must be addressed. The gap between income and cost of living is too wide. South Korea’s wages are 12% lower and living costs 55% higher than the OECD average. Urban centralization, especially around Seoul, worsens the problem, increasing pressure on families and draining rural regions. Second, the government must reframe parenthood and marriage as valuable choices, not burdens. Public campaigns should promote shared parenting, not just motherhood. Male participation in domestic labor must rise from its currently low levels. Education policies must also shift from competition-driven models to child-focused values. Third, regional policies need to balance development. With Busan losing over 7,000 residents in just one quarter, there must be stronger incentives for population dispersion. University admission systems, job opportunities, and public services need to be more evenly distributed.
Despite dire projections, hope remains. Recent reports show that Korea’s birth numbers rose 11.6% compared to the previous year. Though the increase is modest, it shows that change is possible.Other countries, like France and Sweden, have demonstrated that coordinated policy, social support, and value shifts can stabilize population trends. Korea’s highly educated and tech-savvy youth could drive innovation if they believe in a future worth investing in.The core message shouldn’t be to scare, but to awaken. We must revive the value of love, family, and connection. A society that encourages meaningful life over relentless competition can reverse course. As the saying goes, "It ain’t over till it’s over."South Korea is not finished. But the window to act is closing fast.
Sources:
https://kosis.kr/statHtml/statHtml.do?sso=ok&returnurl=https%3A%2F%2Fkosis.kr%3A443%2FstatHtml%2FstatHtml.do%3FtblId%3DDT_1B8000F%26orgId%3D101%26
https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/economy/economy_general/1130689.html
https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/korea-s-unborn-future_005ce8f7-en.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68402139
https://youtu.be/Ufmu1WD2TSk?feature=shared
