Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Survey shows Koreans likely to view childbirth as blessing but financial curse

A recent survey found that Koreans are more likely than their peers in four other countries to believe that having children will add happiness to their lives, even as they voiced the strongest concerns about the financial burden of childbirth.

2026-01-11

Korea's first babies of the year are born at midnight in southern Seoul

As the clock struck midnight, signaling the start of the year on Jan. 1, the cries of two newborns rang out almost at once inside a maternity ward in southern Seoul.

2026-01-01

Parental leave reaches record high in 2024 on increased births, support measures

The number of Korean workers taking parental leave reached a record high in 2024, data showed Wednesday, largely due to a rise in the number of births last year and the effects of government policies promoting parental leave.

2025-12-17

Job stability, income, home ownership linked to higher birthrate: Survey

Job stability, higher income and home ownership are key factors in correlation with higher rates of marriage and childbirth, a government survey showed Tuesday.

2025-12-16

Data Ministry, UN to host symposium on aging population

The statistics agency said on Tuesday that it will hold an international symposium in Seoul, jointly organized with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to discuss low birthrates, the aging population and corresponding responses.

2025-12-02

Uptick in births prompts parents to book 1st birthday party venues well in advance

A steady rise in births is fueling a wave of early bookings for first birthday parties and weddings, as Korean families move quickly to secure venues months or even a year in advance.

2025-11-06

Should Korea work less? A four-and-a-half-day week sparks a divide.

The Lee Jae Myung administration is pushing ahead with a plan for a four-and-a-half-day workweek, sending unions rejoicing and executives scrambling to mitigate the fallout in a nation already on the lower end of productivity.

2025-09-19

'I decided my child's sex over the phone': Why parents are leaving Korea to get IVF

Korean couples are seeking gender-selective IVF abroad due to local prohibitions, raising debates about the country's low birthrate and societal norms regarding child gender preferences.

2025-09-10

Pohang offers '1,000 won homes' to young adults, newlyweds as city fights demographic decline

Pohang is introducing ultra-low-rent homes for young adults and newlyweds that will charge just 30,000 won ($22) per month, or about 1,000 won a day, earning them the nickname “1,000 won homes.”

2025-08-31

Government report indicates potential rise in births

The number of babies born in Korea this year could increase by as many as 20,000 compared to last year, driven by a rise in expected deliveries, according to a government report released Tuesday.

2025-08-26