A group of opposition lawmakers has recently submitted a bill on subsidizing the cost of rearing third children. This may be a novel idea to the many Koreans who believe that childbirth and childcare are family, not state, matters.
Yet, limiting subsidies to third children will not prove to be an incentive strong enough to reverse the nation's fast falling fertility rate. Even the idea of entitling all children to official financial support may not appeal to a growing number of working women, who regard marriage, not to mention childbirth, as a personal choice.
The nation may have to increase fiscal spending, change the tax system, reduce the cost of education and take other steps to reward women giving birth to and rearing children. A drastic change is also needed in the role of fathers, the state and society in childcare.
A stagnant or declining population has a serious impact on a nation's economy, social security, defense and other sectors. That is why the entire society, not just the government, should pay keen attention to demographic changes. But Korea has had no effective population policy since its family planning program, launched in the 1960s, proved to be overly successful and lowered the birthrate below the replacement rate of 2.1 percent in the 1980s.
In 1960, the average woman had six children. The fertility rate dropped to 4.5 in 1970, 2.8 in 1980 and 1.59 in 1990. Last year, it fell to 1.17, the world's lowest level.
If this trend continues, the population will begin to decline in 2015. Given the declining fertility rate, the National Statistical Office says, the nation will have the world's grayest society in 2050 - one with the highest ratio of senior citizens aged 65 or older.
The decline and the accelerated graying have alarming implications for the nation. For instance, - the number of workers in their 20s to 40s will be reduced by 3.4 million, according to one estimate. That means that industry will be forced to import over 3 million migrant workers from abroad if it wishes to maintain the current manufacturing level.
In addition, the falling birthrate and increasing life expectancy mean that fewer economically active people will have to support more senior citizens. Such a society will lose much of its economic dynamism.
Demographic experts say the falling fertility rate is directly related to the increasing cost of childrenrearing. According to a report from the Korea Institute of Health and Social Affairs, it costs 825,000 won per month on average to raise one child from birth to maturity. This is a heavy burden for people who, unlike their parents or grandparents, have abandoned the idea of relying on their offspring for their welfare in old age.
It costs more money for a two-income family to raise a child, as it has to pay additionally for childcare during the daytime. But not many reliable daycare centers are available, which inhibits - childbirth more than high childrearing costs do.
As opposition lawmakers suggest, it is time for the National Assembly to make new laws and revise the existing ones to lessen women's child- bearing and rearing burden. Husbands, the government and society must assist. This is even more important when more women must work.
Women of childbearing age must not be forced to choose between childcare and work. These goals should be made as compatible as possible. Otherwise, the fertility rate will continue to fall.