South Korea’s total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped to the lowest-low, raising serious concerns among government officials and the public. In 2023, the TFR stands at 0.721—far below the replacement rate—while the nation’s aging population continues to grow [1]. As a result, the fertility issue has shifted from a personal matter to a national crisis, with profound implications for the country’s future social and economic stability.
Understanding the root causes of this decline requires exploring a complex interplay of South Korea’s social, cultural, historical, political, and economic factors. Fertility behaviors and decisions are influenced by deeply ingrained societal beliefs and the challenges and opportunities individuals face in the modern context.
This brief will examine the current policies to support those who choose to have children and discuss additional measures that could help address this urgent demographic challenge.
