J Korean Soc Matern Child Health.  2018 Sep;22(3):131-133. 10.21896/jksmch.2018.22.3.131.

Governmental Policies for Overcoming Low Birth Rate by Country

• Ahn KH
• Kim HY
• Cho GJ
• Hong SC
• Oh MJ
• Kim HJ

• KMID: 2421910
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21896/jksmch.2018.22.3.131

Abstract

The issue exerting the greatest influence in Korea is the low birth rate. It is important, therefore, to examine the countermeasures taken, and their effectiveness, by other countries suffering a declining birth rate and consequent aging population before Korea. Such countries can be categorized according to their cultural background: the UK, Continental Europe, Scandinavia, and Asia. In Continental European countries, such as Germany and France, the employment rate of women is relatively low, whereas it is relatively high in the UK and Scandinavian countries. In Asian countries, such as Japan and Singapore, despite many policies instituting the work-family balance, a childcare infrastructure, and child allowance, little is being achieved, due to the specific culture of Asia and the social rejection of various family forms. However, it should not be forgotten that those countries succeeding in increasing the birth rate have implemented continuous policies for decades.

Keyword

low birth rate; governmental policies; country

MeSH Terms

Aging
Asia
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Birth Rate*
Child
Employment
Europe
Female
France
Germany
Humans
Japan
Korea
Parturition*
Scandinavian and Nordic Countries
Singapore
Social Distance