Governmental Policies for Overcoming Low Birth Rate by Country
10.21896/jksmch.2018.22.3.131
- Author:
Ki Hoon AHN
1
;
Ho Yeon KIM
;
Geum Joon CHO
;
Soon Cheol HONG
;
Min Jeong OH
;
Hai Joong KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. akh1220@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
low birth rate;
governmental policies;
country
- MeSH:
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
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Maternal and Child Health
2018;22(3):131-133
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
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.
