42% of Citizens Say "Low Birthrate Problem Is Unsolvable... Focus Should Be on Other Measures"

Female 56%, Male 74% "Very Serious Low Birthrate"

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[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] While the majority of adults in South Korea view the low birthrate phenomenon as serious, a public opinion survey revealed that there are gender differences in the degree of perceived seriousness.

According to data released by Gallup Korea on the 11th, in a survey conducted nationwide from October 21 to 26 last year targeting 1,002 people aged 19 to 59, 42% of respondents agreed with the statement, "It is impossible to solve the low birthrate problem, so efforts should focus on other measures."

Among women, 49% held a pessimistic view of South Korea's low birthrate outlook, compared to 36% of men. Notably, 59% of women in their 20s believed that the low birthrate problem cannot be solved, the highest percentage among all groups.

Among all respondents, the proportion who answered "very serious" was 56% for women and 74% for men, showing a difference. Especially among women in their 20s (40%) and 30s (49%), this rate was below 50%.

Respondents identified the most important cause of low birthrate as "economic burden of raising children" (58%). This was followed by "income instability such as employment and job insecurity" (44%), "emphasis on individual life" (35%), "excessive housing costs such as house prices" (22%), and "career interruption for women due to childbirth and childcare" (17%).

Young people in their 20s and 30s, both men and women, also tended to view "economic burden of raising children" (47% for men, 53% for women) as the most important factor. However, there were clear gender differences in perceptions of "employment and job insecurity" (men 62%, women 38%) and "career interruption for women" (men 4%, women 36%).

Regarding national support for childbirth and childcare, 7 out of 10 people viewed it as insufficient. When asked about the adequacy of support, 57% of respondents said it was "somewhat insufficient," and 17% said it was "very insufficient." Those who felt the support was sufficient did not exceed 30%.

Regarding the opinion that sufficient childbirth and childcare support can solve the low birthrate problem, 81% agreed, and 74% agreed with the claim that improving awareness about childbirth and childcare can also solve the issue.

The hypothetical national support measure that received the highest response for "likely to increase childbirth intentions" was "free support for childcare and housing space" (67%). Other measures such as "support for children's education expenses," "support for childbirth and medical expenses," "comprehensive childcare support," and "guaranteed three years of paid leave at work" recorded mid-60% approval ratings. "One hundred million won cash payment upon childbirth" was at 44%.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.