South Korea and Japan are taking proactive steps to combat their declining birth rates, which have reached critical levels in recent years. South Korea's President announced plans to establish a new Ministry of Low Birth Rate Counter-planning to address what he described as a 'national emergency.' The country's fertility rate, currently at a record low of 0.72, is well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman.
Similarly, Japan is also grappling with a shrinking population and an aging society. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently warned that Japan's social functions could be at risk due to the falling birth rate. In response, the government launched the Child and Families Agency to focus on improving children's health and welfare, supporting families, and addressing the root causes of the declining birth rate.
Both countries have implemented various initiatives in the past, such as extending paternity leave, offering financial incentives to new parents, and promoting gender equality in childcare and household responsibilities. However, these efforts have not been sufficient to reverse the trend of declining birth rates.
Experts attribute the demographic shifts to a combination of factors, including demanding work cultures, stagnant wages, rising living costs, changing attitudes toward marriage and family, and societal barriers faced by non-traditional partnerships and same-sex couples. These deep-rooted social issues have contributed to the reluctance of couples to have children.
While both South Korea and Japan have recognized the urgency of the situation and are taking steps to address it, the effectiveness of these new government agencies and initiatives remains to be seen. The success of these efforts will depend on a comprehensive approach that tackles not only economic factors but also societal norms and attitudes that influence family planning decisions.
