Day care centers in Busan start closing down due to ongoing struggles with the birthrate.
Vacant Day Care Center Closes Amid South Korea's Low Birthrate Crisis
In the bustling district of Haeundae, Busan, a former youth support center, previously known as the Sena Day Care Center, now stands empty [HAEUNDAE-GU]. Meanwhile, in other parts of the country, day care centers are struggling to stay afloat due to a decline in enrollment, as South Korea grapples with an unprecedented low birthrate crisis.
On February 23, 2023, a teacher surveys a day care center that is about to shut down due to insufficient enrollment [YONHAP]. South Korea's low fertility rate—currently one of the world's lowest, averaging around 0.72–0.82 births per woman—has led to a dire situation for childcare facilities across the nation.
In the run-up to the 2023 presidential election, various political candidates have put forth strategies to counteract this birthrate crisis. For instance, Rep. Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party and Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party have promised substantial financial support for families, which includes child-rearing subsidies, housing assistance, and tax relief designed to alleviate the economic strain on parents [5]. Additionally, both candidates advocate for financial aid for infertility treatments and the establishment of child investment accounts sponsored by the government to encourage investment in children's futures.
To address an aging population, the candidates have proposed expanding National Health Insurance coverage to senior care centers and improving the sustainability of retirement schemes. This aims to lessen the intergenerational care burden on families [5]. Former President Yoon Suk-yeol, before his impeachment, declared a 'demographic national emergency' and proposed the creation of a Ministry of Population Strategy and Planning to develop a cohesive population and fertility policy [3].
However, some critics question the effectiveness of the proposed financial incentives, suggesting that they are expansions of outdated policies without a comprehensive, innovative plan to reverse the fertility decline [5]. Furthermore, youth and experts argue that a shift in attitudes about family structure and challenging social and cultural barriers is essential to boost birthrates [3].
A recent positive trend indicates a 7.4% increase in newborns in the first quarter of 2025, driven by increased childbirths among women in their 30s [2][4]. This increase may be an early indication of the impact of government efforts and changing social attitudes on fertility rates.
As the election approaches, it remains to be seen which strategies will be most effective in addressing the low birthrate crisis that South Korea faces. In the meantime, day care centers like the one in Haeundae continue to bear the brunt of this demographic challenge.
- The government and political candidates are actively discussing strategies to counteract South Korea's low birthrate crisis, which has led to a decline in enrollment at day care centers across the nation.
- Both Democratic Party's Rep. Lee Jae-myung and People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo have promised financial support for families, including child-rearing subsidies, housing assistance, and tax relief, to alleviate economic strain on parents.
- Some critics argue that the proposed financial incentives are expansions of outdated policies without a comprehensive, innovative plan to reverse the fertility decline, suggesting a necessity for a shift in attitudes about family structure and challenging social and cultural barriers.
