The truth behind South Korea's birth decline: cash incentives aren't enough
Image: Christopher Politano/pexels
It's no longer rural areas that are facing population decline. In big cities and countries, the sound of playgrounds grows quieter each year, and small towns are slowly fading away.
This isn't a dystopian novel; it's the reality unfolding in South Korea today.
The nation is facing a population crisis, with birth rates dropping to historic lows and entire regions at risk of depopulation.
But beneath the headlines and statistics lies a story about women's choices, shifting values, and why quick fixes may not be enough to turn things around.
South Korea's famed '4B Movement' is one example of how deeply culture shapes personal decisions.
Originating as a bold feminist movement, 4B stands for 'no dating, no sex, no marriage, no childbirth', a declaration by thousands of young Korean women who are choosing autonomy over tradition.
The movement emerged as a response to what many describe as persistent gender inequality, rigid beauty standards, and the social pressure to marry and have children. But it's not just about protest.
The '4B' philosophy alongside the 'Escape the Corset' movement, which rejects restrictive beauty norms, reflects a wider shift in how young people view relationships, work, and family.
As Dr Seungmi Yang, a sociologist at Ewha Womans University, notes, 'Women are demanding respect and equality before they consider marriage or motherhood.
They're prioritising happiness and personal growth, and that's changing the social fabric.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Surveys by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs show many young Koreans now define happiness through personal achievement and relationships outside of marriage or parenting.
Image: KELLY LEONARD/pexels
Cash for commitment: Will it work?
According to "The Korea Times", faced with these deep-rooted changes, South Korea's government has tried to stop the population slide with a wave of cash incentives, some of them almost unimaginable in scale.
Local authorities across the country now offer everything from paid first dates to six-figure marriage bonuses. In Busan's Saha District, couples can receive up to 20 million won (about $14,700) after participating in a government matchmaking event.
Geochang County pays newlyweds up to 600,000 won a year, while Seoul and Gyeonggi Province are rolling out starter funds for young couples.
Sunchang County offers 10 million won over four years for newlyweds who agree to settle in the area. But this is where it gets interesting, despite all these subsidies, marriage and birth rates keep falling.
Jinju City, for instance, handed out marriage grants to more than 4,000 couples since 2021, but the marriage rate didn't budge.
Even in regions where large payouts have been standard for years, there's little evidence of lasting impact.
Why are young people saying 'No'?
It's tempting to think money alone can solve social challenges. However, as experts point out, the roots of Korea's demographic crisis run much deeper. Work-life imbalance: South Korea consistently ranks among the world's top countries for long working hours and job stress. Many young adults feel forced to choose between career and family.
Housing costs: The price of a home, especially in cities like Seoul, has soared, making it hard for young couples to envision a stable future.
Parenting pressure: Raising a child is seen as expensive and demanding, with limited support for working mothers.
Changing values: Surveys by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs show many young Koreans now define happiness through personal achievement and relationships outside of marriage or parenting.
Dr Hong Suk-chul, an economics professor at Seoul National University, cautions: 'Throwing cash at the problem won't work unless we address structural issues, affordable housing, flexible work, and true gender equality.
"Otherwise, we risk repeating the mistakes of failed baby bonuses and childcare subsidies.'
South Korea consistently ranks among the world's top countries for long working hours and job stress. Many young adults feel forced to choose between career and family.
Image: Mikhail Nilov /pexels
For many Korean women, these policies miss the mark by failing to consider their lived realities. The decision to marry or have children isn't just economic; it's about respect, safety, balance, and mental health.
The 4B movement, while controversial, has forced an honest conversation about what women want from life and love.
As a woman and a mother, I see a valuable lesson here: real well-being comes from choice and dignity, not handouts. If we want societies to thrive, we must build environments where everyone, women and men, can pursue family, career, and self-care without fear or sacrifice.
What can be done? Experts agree on a few essentials:
Flexible work policies so parents can balance careers and family.
Affordable, accessible childcare for all income levels.
Support for single parents and working mothers
Cultural change that values women's choice, whether they choose motherhood, career, or both.
South Korea's population challenge isn't just a warning for policymakers, it's a wake-up call for all of us to rethink what truly makes a healthy, happy society.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
a day ago
- eNCA
Okinawa a reluctant host for US troops 80 years after WWII
Okinawa resident Hiromasa Iha can still recall the screams of his classmates and teachers after a US military jet crashed into his elementary school, killing 18 people more than six decades ago. As people globally commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the 72-year-old retired businessman is among many residents who oppose the American troops stationed on their island ever since. He joins dozens of islanders in near-daily protests against the US forces. The United States has around 54,000 military personnel stationed in Japan, mostly on Okinawa, and a string of incidents over the years, including sexual assault cases, have angered residents. "For us, these crimes and accidents are not someone else's business, and we feel a pressing unease that we can't predict when these things may happen again," he told AFP, recalling the 1959 school incident. "We want the bases to go." The island region, a subtropical paradise with a huge tourism industry, hosts 70 percent of all American bases in Japan and serves as a key US outpost to monitor China, the Taiwan Strait and the Korean peninsula. AFP | Philip FONG The bloody Battle of Okinawa near the end of the war led to the US occupation of the island until 1972, during which troops seized private land in Okinawa to expand their presence in what is locally known as a "bayonet and bulldozer" campaign. During the Cold War, US troops in Okinawa were seen by Washington as a deterrent against the spread of communism. Now, both Tokyo and Washington stress the strategic importance of Okinawa in the face of China's territorial ambitions. But residents have for years voiced their fury over a spate of crimes and accidents involving American soldiers and base personnel. In 2024 alone, Okinawa police detained 80 people connected to the base -- such as US soldiers or military contractors -- including seven for severely violent crimes. Okinawa erupted in anger after a 1995 gang rape of a 12-year-old girl by three US Marines. In August 2004, a Marine helicopter crashed at a university in Okinawa, causing no injuries but amplifying fears of accidents. In April 2016, a former Marine, who was working as a military contractor in Okinawa, raped and killed a 20-year-old woman. And as recently as last month, a senior Marine officer visited the Okinawa government to apologise after a Marine was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman. - 'Truly scary' - Opinion polls in Okinawa have historically shown that the majority of residents believe the rest of Japan must carry its fair share of the load when it comes to hosting the US military. Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki routinely points out the island's "excessive burden", impacting the daily lives of residents. But repeated calls on authorities to prevent crimes by US soldiers have fallen largely on deaf ears, said Junko Iraha, the chairwoman of a coalition of women's groups in Okinawa. AFP | Philip FONG "It's not that we don't like American people. We are saying, please do something about the bases," she said. When Okinawa was returned to Japan in 1972, residents expected that US bases would be spread across Japan -- a vision that never came true, she added. Recent polls suggest growing resignation among the Okinawan public. In a 2023 survey, nearly 40 percent of Okinawan survey participants said the anti-US base movement was powerless to change Tokyo's policy. But many Okinawan residents say they live in fear of crimes by American soldiers, with victims still trying to process their grief. Takemasa Kinjo, 68, was a high school student when his mother was killed by a Marine in 1974 with a brick at their home where she operated a small bar. "It is truly scary if you think crimes can happen in your neighbourhood," Kinjo said. He also joined a recent protest at a Marine base that is being expanded into a secluded bay where dugongs and other protected species live. AFP | Philip FONG He believes Okinawa -- where base-related income accounts for just over five percent of its economy -- can thrive thanks to tourism alone, with an increasing number of holidaymakers drawn to the area's turquoise bays and coral reefs. "There should be no base on Okinawa," he said. "We don't need new military facilities." Iha, whose elementary school was destroyed by a US jet, feels the need to explain to future generations what happened -- and warn them it could happen again. At the time of the crash, which also left more than 200 people injured, "everyone thought another war was starting", he recalled. Now, "every day, military jets fly over our houses, and we see helicopters making emergency landings," said Iha. "This is not something that only belongs in the past. This can happen again anytime."
IOL News
05-08-2025
- IOL News
Meet the game-changers: Young South African women making their mark
These 10 phenomenal women under 30 are redefining success and inspiring change. Image: IOL Ron AI As we celebrate Women's Month, there's a powerful narrative unfolding across South Africa, one that speaks to an unstoppable force of talent, passion, and purpose. It's a story of a generation of young women who are not just waiting for opportunities, but actively creating them. From the sports fields to the frontlines of social change, these trailblazers are not just making their mark; they are rewriting the rules, proving that when passion meets purpose, anything is possible. Nonkululeko Mlaba: Cricket's fearless trailblazer Nonkululeko Mlaba Image: Supplied From the township streets of Durban to the international stage, Nonkululeko Mlaba is a left-arm spin sensation for the Proteas. As a Proteas player since 2019, she has a fearless attitude that has inspired her teammates and fans alike. In a historic achievement in December 2024, she became the first South African woman to take a ten-wicket haul in a Test match, a milestone that cemented her status as a cricketing force. Yewon Choi: A storyteller of culture Yewon Choi Image: Supplied Yewon Choi is a South African by heart, though Korean by birth. She has become a celebrated storyteller of culture, weaving together her love for local brands with the authentic flavours of her home. Through her content, she shares the beauty of Asian cuisine, skincare, and style, creating a world rooted in identity, care, and connection. Her work highlights the joy of feeling seen and celebrated. Masabata Sebusi: The agri innovator Masabata Sebusi Image: Supplied Masabata Sebusi is an agri-innovator transforming South Africa's food systems from the ground up. She co-founded AgriVuno, an organisation that empowers smallholder farmers with training and access to markets. Sebusi is a fierce advocate for youth leadership and sustainability, helping build a future that feeds both people and purpose. Sive Mfenyana: High-flying role model Sive Mfenyana Image: Supplied From cadet to senior first officer, Sive Mfenyana is an airline pilot for South Africa's biggest airline, FlySafair, flying Boeing 737-800s. As one of the country's few black female pilots, she is a role model for aspiring aviators. Mfenyana is passionate about mentoring individuals from under-represented communities, proving that women belong in the cockpit. Constable Brooke Erin Fritz: Underwater hero Constable Brooke Erin Fritz Image: Supplied Constable Brooke Erin Fritz is redefining bravery as the youngest female SAPS diver in the Western Cape. Her work spans from crime-scene recovery to life-saving rescue missions. She was celebrated by the SAPS during Youth Month 2025 as a beacon of hope and inspiration, proving that women belong at every depth of service. Jessica Thompson: Teenage swim star Jessica Thompson Image: Supplied At just 16, Jessica Thompson is a rising star in the swimming world. She made waves at the Commonwealth Youth Games by breaking the record in the 50m butterfly. She also holds three age-group records at the SA Nationals and came within a whisker of qualifying for the Paris Olympics. With Romania 2025 on the horizon and LA 2028 in her sights, she is training to make history in the pool. Georgina Bennett: Fashion's circular champion Georgina Bennett Image: Supplied As the brand director at Style Rotate, one of South Africa's most innovative fashion rental platforms, Georgina Bennett is making fashion more sustainable and accessible. She has styled icons like Rachel Kolisi and led major campaigns, including the Style Rotate X Poetry Collection, rewriting the fashion rulebook with elegance and a commitment to circularity. Bridget Mangwandi: MasterChef with a mission Bridget Mangwandi Image: Supplied At the age of 20, Bridget Mangwandi made television history by becoming the youngest and first black female winner of MasterChef SA, pocketing a cool R1 million. A food science student, she impressed judges and viewers alike with her ability to blend creativity with culinary heritage. Now, she is building a culinary empire, with plans for a cooking show, studio, and her own product line. Candice Chirwa: Minister of menstruation Candice Chirwa Image: Supplied Candice Chirwa is a gender activist, author, TEDx speaker, and founder of Qrate, a non-profit organisation dedicated to menstrual education and policy reform. Popularly known as the "Minister of Menstruation," Chirwa has authored books such as 'Flow' and 'Perils of Patriarchy'. She is shifting the conversation around period poverty, paid menstrual leave, and reproductive rights, sparking national dialogues that aim to turn shame into strength. Lindo ASMR: Zulu's calmest voice Lindo ASMR Image: Supplied
Daily Maverick
04-08-2025
- Daily Maverick
South Korea starts removing anti-North Korean loudspeakers on border
SEOUL, Aug 4 (Reuters) - South Korean authorities began removing on Monday loudspeakers blaring anti-North Korea broadcasts along the country's border, Seoul's defence ministry said, as the new government of President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease tensions with Pyongyang. Shortly after he took office in June, Lee's administration switched off propaganda broadcasts criticizing the North Korean regime as it looks to revive stalled dialogue with its neighbour. But North Korea recently rebuffed the overtures and said it had no interest in talking to South Korea. The countries remain technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean war ended in a truce and relations have deteriorated in the last few years. South Korea's dismantling of the loudspeakers from Monday is just a 'practical measure to help ease tensions between the South and the North,' the ministry said in a statement on Monday.
