[Hwankyung Ilbo] South Korea's estimated total fertility rate of 0.78 last year was the lowest among OECD countries and continues to decline. This is an "ultra-low fertility" country, meaning that it has one of the lowest birthrates in the world.

In 1960, the total fertility rate was 6.0, and family planning was strongly implemented as a national program from 1961. Since then, industrialization and urbanization have led to a narrowing of the burden of childbearing and childrearing within the nuclear family.

In the 1980s, women's education level increased significantly, and in the 1990s, women's social participation increased significantly. While women's roles have expanded from domestic work to wage labor, men's roles have not expanded to domestic work, and the lack of state and corporate support for childcare has contributed to the decline in the birth rate.

It's getting harder and harder to buy a house. Working mothers are still faced with the "parenting bug". They have to take career breaks to focus on childcare and are often penalized when they return to work.

Governments are making efforts to increase the total fertility rate, but the problem is far from being solved.

As early as 18 years ago, at the United Nations Population Forum in 2006, demography expert David Coleman, professor emeritus at Oxford University, predicted that "if the declining birthrate continues, South Korea will be the first country on Earth to disappear."

At that time, the total fertility rate in South Korea was 1.13, and it has been falling every year. Prof. Coleman pointed out that the main reason for the ultra-low birth rate is the unwillingness to have children, which is caused by a higher burden on women in the family and society than in other countries.

Japan hasn't solved its birthrate problem either. Since the "shock of 1.57" was coined in 1989, the country's fertility rate has been steadily declining, reaching 1.26 in 2022.

While Japan cannot be considered a success story for overcoming its demographic challenges, it is notable for its various policy attempts in the 30 years since the first birthrate reduction measures were announced in 1994.

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