Analysis of Current Policies and Services for Overcoming Korea’s Low Fertility Rate Measures to Enhance Childbirth Encouragement Policy

Abstract

The Korea government has enforced the policies by spending a lot of money into measures of low birthrate problems for the past 10 years. However, the birth rate was 1.19 in 2014, and Korea has remained a country with an extremely low birthrate for the last 10 years. Women‟s fertility rates in 2013 are: 1.0 children in Seoul, and 1.05 in Busan, making Busan with the lowest fertility rate in the 7 metropolitan cities. Korea‟s typical population policy executing the organization “Planned Parenthood Federation of Korea” was established in 1961 and led the “Have 3 kids movement” In the 1980‟s, the government launched “One kid Family”, the suppressing of childbirth policies that have been consistent for 40 years ultimately changed to supporting childbirth policies in 2004 and after. The purpose of this investigation is to seek a political proposal and a plan to solve the problem of the extremely low fertility rate in the Korean society. For this, we should firstly analyze the change in Korea‟s population policy, and secondly, we should compare the progress of change of birthrate and the present situation of local birthrate. Thirdly, we should analyze the various childbirth support policies propelled by local governments and service conditions from the perspective of coexistence of work and family. To strengthen the supportive policies, and to create a society where the coexistence of work and family are both possible, not only the central government, but also the local governments should consider „population policy including the increase of birthrate‟ as a primary assignment and should establish and enforce a long-term plan that is practical for the next 20 years. If not, the low fertility rate will always be an obstacle when it comes to economic and societal development of Korea.