Koreans do want children — but 1 in 2 say they can’t afford them

More people around the world are giving up on having children — not because they don’t want them, but because they simply can’t afford to raise them, a new United Nations report says.

2025-06-10

After 10 years, childbirth is no longer Korea's leading cause of hospitalization

Cataracts are now Korea's top cause of hospitalization, having surpassed live childbirth due to low birthrates and an aging population.

2025-06-08

South Jeolla reports highest birthrate in Q1 in wake of monthly child benefit program

South Jeolla reported a total fertility rate of 1.13 in the first quarter of 2025, the highest in the nation, with the province starting a monthly child benefit program aimed at sustaining support beyond infancy.

2025-06-02

Reforming Korea's national pension system: What are the election candidates promising?

Reforming Korea’s national pension system is both urgent and necessary, but remains a politically sensitive issue. Tthe key contenders in the June 3 presidential election are now placing it among their top 10 campaign pledges.

2025-06-01

Korea sees first Q1 birth uptick in a decade, boosted by rising marriages

For the first time in a decade, Korea recorded a year-on-year increase in newborns during the first quarter of the year — a rare uptick in a country battling chronically low birthrates.

2025-05-28

Busan begins shuttering its day care centers as birthrate struggles on

Busan is repurposing closed day care centers into community and entrepreneurial spaces as child enrollment drops, but critics highlight insufficient actions regarding private facilities in the city.

2025-05-27

Blue, red, orange candidates make pledges targeting birthrate crisis, different life stages

From pink-colored license plates on vehicles for families with multiple children to freezing sperm and ova, Korean presidential hopefuls are proposing all kinds of policies to convince people to have more children.

2025-05-21

More couples in Korea are having kids than Japan — but stop at first child

As marriage and childbirth are coming later for Koreans, many are hitting the brakes after baby number one.

2025-05-14

Nonmarital births a solution to low birthrate, vice minister says to public outrage

First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Ki-il said nonmarital births should become more common in Korea to solve the birthrate issue. The public did not like that.

2025-05-09

Seoul has a birthrate crisis. Are more playgrounds the answer?

Seoul's government-run kids cafes provide affordable indoor play spaces, aiming to alleviate low birthrates by offering parents a fun environment for their children.