Naju-si, Birth Rate Rises... 5.85% Increase Compared to Same Month Last Year

Published 18 Dec.2023 14:50(KST)

The number of births in Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, has significantly increased compared to last year.

As the ultra-low birthrate issue becomes increasingly serious, the pregnancy and childbirth policies prioritized by the 8th term Naju-si administration, aiming to become a "city good for having and raising children," are being evaluated as effective.

Naju-si (Mayor Yoon Byung-tae) announced on the 18th that the number of births as of November this year reached 670, an increase of 5.85% (37 births) compared to the same month last year (633 births).

Photo description) Yoon Byung-tae, Mayor of Naju City, is visiting a family in Bitgaram-dong who had their sixth child last May, presenting a congratulatory bouquet and taking a commemorative photo. [Photo by Naju City]

Among the five municipal governments in the province, only Naju-si and Mokpo-si saw an increase in the number of births as of November this year compared to the same month last year, with Naju-si recording the highest population growth rate at 106%.

Since November last year, the city abolished the six-month mandatory residency condition for childbirth incentives. This means that even living for just one day after registering an address qualifies for the childbirth incentive.

From this year, the support amount has also been significantly increased. Since July, 3 million KRW has been provided for the first child, 5 million KRW for the second child, and 10 million KRW for the third child and beyond, offering substantial assistance for newborn family childcare expenses.

The "household care service," which was previously only provided to families after childbirth, has been expanded to families of pregnant women after six months, receiving great response.

Additionally, since April, the eligibility criteria for the service, which was limited to families with a second child or more, high-risk groups, and multiple births, have been lowered to support all pregnant women.

Non-discriminatory support also applies to infertile couples. Naju-si has established the "Naju-type infertility treatment cost" and "infertility screening cost" support systems to ensure that all infertile couples can receive treatment costs regardless of income, improving early diagnosis and treatment accessibility.

The establishment of a year-round, 24/7 childcare infrastructure that is good for raising children after birth also draws attention. In September, the city opened the province's first 365-day hourly childcare room at Kinderbrain Daycare Center in Bitgaram-dong.

This daycare center cares for children aged from 6 months to 7 years (preschool) through prior reservation, providing care not only on weekday nights but also on weekends and public holidays.

The care cost is 3,000 KRW per hour, with services provided from 6 PM to 9 AM the next day on weekdays, and from 8 AM to midnight on weekends and public holidays.

Following Bitgaram-dong, Nampyeong Daycare Center was selected for the "365 Hana Care" project sponsored by Hana Financial Group, and weekend and public holiday care services are planned to be implemented in Nampyeong-eup starting next April.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae stated, "The childbirth and support policies prioritized to make Naju a good place to have and raise children are receiving great response from families planning to have children. We will continue to create a Naju-si that leads the overcoming of low birthrates with universal policy support without discrimination and highly effective policies covering pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, and education."