What South Korea’s population crisis can teach the world

In the United States, the Trump administration is considering a suite of pronatalist proposals — many with strong cultural and ideological undertones. Among them are establishing $1,000 "Trump Accounts" for newborns, promoting fertility awareness classes in schools and even awarding medals to mothers of six or more children. While these proposals are a very good start, they raise a critical question: Why, despite years of public attention, do so many fertility policies fail to deliver results? Too often, governments spread efforts too thin, leaving them lacking strategic focus, integration or long-term commitment. Korea’s experience offers both a cautionary tale and a potential road map. In the 1970s, Korea became a global model for population control. Slogans like “Have two children and raise them well” were reinforced by strong incentives. Couples who underwent sterilization were given housing priority, and health insurance covered only up to two children. By 1983, the total fertility rate had dropped from around five children per woman in the early 1960s to below the replacemWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times