South Korea’s declining birth rate: What’s behind it?

The population is forecast to shrink by close to 20 million by the year 2070 and halve by 2100 – labeled a “national emergency” by President Yoon Suk Yeol.

“We don’t have a lot of time,” Yoon said in January about the country’s population decline.

South Korea has the lowest birth rate globally at 0.72 children per woman, falling below the replacement rate of 2.1.

Reasons for the low birth rate include pay disparities, long work hours, housing unaffordability, and sexism in the workplace.

Efforts to combat the crisis include funding for housing, childcare, and infrastructure improvements to encourage family time.

Authorities are also offering incentives for singles to marry and have children in an attempt to stabilize the declining population.