Volume 15 Issue 08, August 2025
Impact factor: 2019: 4.679 2020: 5.015 2021: 5.436, 2022: 5.242, 2023:
6.995, 2024 7.75
http://www.internationaljournal.co.in/index.php/jasass
515
LOW BIRTH RATE IN SOUTH KOREA
Ozodkhon Tulanboeva
Third-year student of Tashkent state university of oriental studies
Abstract:
South Korea, despite being an economically developed country known for its
technological innovations, is facing a low birth rate. The reasons for this phenomenon are related
to a number of social, economic and cultural factors. Social pressures, family relationships and
the changing importance of marriage also play an important role. Many young people prefer to
avoid or delay marriage, which leads to a decrease in the birth rate.
Key words:
birth rate, economic factors, cultural factors, social factors, career, social pressure,
educational programs, economic growth, young families, female employment.
Annotatsiya:
Janubiy Koreya, iqtisodiy jihatdan rivojlangan va texnologik innovatsiyalar bilan
tanilgan mamlakat bo‘lishiga qaramay, tug‘ilish darajasining pastligi bilan yuzma-yuz kelmoqda.
Ushbu fenomenning sabablari bir qator ijtimoiy, iqtisodiy va madaniy omillar bilan bog‘liq.
Shuningdek, ijtimoiy bosimlar, oilaviy munosabatlar va nikohning o‘zgaruvchan ahamiyati ham
muhim rol o‘ynamoqda. Ko‘plab yoshlar nikohdan qochish yoki uni kechiktirishni afzal
ko‘rmoqda, bu esa tug‘ilish darajasining pasayishiga olib kelmoqda.
Kalit
so’zlar:
tug’ilish
darajasi,iqtisodiy
omillar,madaniy
omillar,ijtimoiy
omillar,kariyera,ijtimoiy bosim,ta’lim dasturlari,iqtisodiy o’sish,yosh oilalar,ayolllarning ish
bilan bandligi.
Аннотация:
Южная Корея, несмотря на то, что является экономически развитой страной,
известной своими технологическими инновациями, сталкивается с низкой рождаемостью.
Причины этого явления связаны с рядом социальных, экономических и культурных
факторов. Социальное давление, семейные отношения и меняющаяся значимость брака
также играют важную роль. Многие молодые люди предпочитают избегать или
откладывать брак, что приводит к снижению рождаемости.
Ключевые слова:
рождаемость, экономические факторы, культурные факторы,
социальные факторы, карьера, социальное давление, образовательные программы,
экономический рост, молодые семьи, женская занятость.
According to preliminary data from the South Korean Statistical Office, the total fertility rate —
the average number of children a woman gives birth to in her lifetime — was 0.72 in 2023. For
comparison, this coefficient was 0.78 in 2022, 0.81 in 2021, and 0.84 in 2020. This is well below
the average of 2.1 children needed to maintain the country's current population of 51 million. As
of 2018, South Korea is the only country among the members of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) with a fertility rate below 1. In addition, the average age
of a Korean woman at the birth of her first child is 33.6 years. This is the highest result among
OECD members. According to experts, if such a low birth rate continues, the population of
South Korea, which is the fifth largest economy in Asia, will shrink by almost half by 2100, to
Volume 15 Issue 08, August 2025
Impact factor: 2019: 4.679 2020: 5.015 2021: 5.436, 2022: 5.242, 2023:
6.995, 2024 7.75
http://www.internationaljournal.co.in/index.php/jasass
516
26.8 million people. Since 2006, the government has allocated about $270 billion to address the
problem of low birth rates, but these measures have not yielded results. Incentives include
financial subsidies for couples, childcare services, and support for infertility treatment. The
Guardian wrote that couples cite the rising costs of raising children and the rise in real estate
prices, the lack of well-paid jobs, and the fierce competition in the education system as obstacles
to having a large family. Experts also emphasize the role of cultural factors, including the
difficulties women face in balancing career and motherhood, as well as the expectation that they
are primarily responsible for housework and childcare. Since 2006, the government has spent
more than $270 billion on programs to encourage couples to have more children, including cash
subsidies, childcare services, and assistance with infertility treatment. Financial and other
incentives have not been able to encourage couples complaining about the sharply rising costs of
raising children and property prices, the lack of well-paid jobs and the education system in the
country, which are an obstacle to having a large family. Marriage is seen as a prerequisite for
having children, but the number of marriages is decreasing due to the high cost of living.
According to recent data, the total population of South Korea exceeds approximately 51 million.
North Korea's population is 25 million. These figures are approximate and may change slightly
due to factors such as birth, death, and migration.
South Korea has been facing serious problems with its birth rate in recent years. In 2021, the
country's birth rate reached a record low of 0.84 births per woman. This indicator is one of the
lowest in the world, and this situation is associated with social, economic, and cultural factors.
The costs of raising children, education, and healthcare are very high. Financial pressure on
young families negatively affects the decision to give birth. Housing prices are very high in
South Korea, which limits the ability of young people to build their own homes. Many women
are striving to advance their careers, which leads to a delay in childbirth. Competition in the
workplace and the desire to achieve success take precedence over childbirth plans.
- Work-life balance. Balancing family and work life is difficult, which prevents many young
people from having children.
- Traditional views. While traditional views on marriage and having children are changing, there
is still social pressure among many young people.
- Focus on education. The education system is very competitive, which increases the demands
on children and puts pressure on families' birth plans.
The decline in the birth rate can lead to a number of serious consequences. Population decline
and an increase in the aging process. This can have a negative impact on the economy. The lack
of a younger generation can lead to a shortage of labor, which will slow down economic growth.
The strengthening of the aging process will create an additional burden on healthcare and
pension systems. The South Korean government is taking a number of measures to increase the
birth rate.Providing subsidies and assistance to families for children. Expanding kindergartens
and care services.
- Flexibility in the workplace: Increasing the employment of women and supporting family life.
Volume 15 Issue 08, August 2025
Impact factor: 2019: 4.679 2020: 5.015 2021: 5.436, 2022: 5.242, 2023:
6.995, 2024 7.75
http://www.internationaljournal.co.in/index.php/jasass
517
The low birth rate in South Korea remains a serious problem. Social, economic, and cultural
factors are causing a delay in childbirth. The measures taken by the government to address this
issue are important, but a more comprehensive approach and large-scale reforms are needed. In
the future, changing social awareness and improving economic conditions are of great
importance for increasing the birth rate.
References
1.
“Inha University in Tashkent: A Gateway to IT Leadership”, The Korea Times. 2024.
2.
“Yeoju Technical Institute and Uzbekistan’s Educational Development”, Wikipedia.
3.
Dadabaev, T. Transcontinental Silk Road Strategies: Comparing China, Japan and South
4.
Korea in Uzbekistan. Routledge, 2019.
5.
Seilkhan, A., and Z. A. Kakenova. "Trade and economic relations between Uzbekistan
6.
and Korea: main stages and prospects of cooperation." (2022).
