Promotion of Moving-in Support and Childbirth Incentives
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam Province is making every effort to increase its population through customized population policies. In particular, amid the population cliff crisis caused by low birth rates and aging, the county is promoting various policies to overcome low birth rates and improve the quality of life for its residents.
According to Sancheong-gun on the 27th, as of last year, the population of Sancheong-gun was 34,028. This is a decrease of 332 from the previous year (34,360). However, the number of incoming residents increased by 324 compared to the previous year, slowing the overall decline rate.
This increase in incoming population is analyzed to be due to Sancheong-gun's active policies to prevent the ongoing population decline. So far, Sancheong-gun has implemented customized policies to increase the incoming population.
Sancheong-gun provides Sancheong Love Gift Certificates worth 100,000 KRW to individuals who have been registered residents in other cities or counties for more than one year and register their residence in Sancheong-gun (after January 1, 2020) and actually reside there for more than six months.
Additionally, households with two or more incoming residents receive Sancheong Love Gift Certificates worth 300,000 KRW. Applicants can receive the gift certificates by applying at the local town or township office where they reside, and applications can also be made via mobile Zero Pay.
Along with this, a New Resident Life Guidebook containing various useful living information and administrative services such as Sancheong-gun’s basic status, cultural and sports facilities is produced and provided for incoming households.
In particular, efforts are focused on increasing incoming population through customized policies for each household. Under youth policies, if a person has been registered in another city or county for more than one year, registers residence in Sancheong-gun with their parents for more than six months, and is enrolled in elementary, middle, or high school within the region, a scholarship of 300,000 KRW per person is provided.
Support is also provided for households with two or more children who have university-age children (unmarried under 30 years old). If the parents have been registered residents in Sancheong-gun for more than three months at the time of application and have no history of moving out, 300,000 KRW is paid once per school year up to four times, totaling 1,200,000 KRW.
Furthermore, under the youth marriage policy, among marriage partners aged 19 to 49, if at least one person (based on marriage registration) has been registered in Sancheong-gun for more than six months, and both spouses continue to reside in Sancheong-gun after marriage registration, a total of 4,000,000 KRW is paid over four years. However, if either spouse moves out, the support is discontinued.
Loan interest support is also provided. Eligible recipients include newlyweds aged 19 to 45, families with newborns, and incoming households. Support is provided up to 1.5% of the loan balance, with a maximum of 1,000,000 KRW for newlyweds, 1,500,000 KRW for families with newborns, and 500,000 KRW for incoming households.
Sancheong-gun continues to implement childbirth encouragement policies alongside support for incoming households. Since the ordinance revision in 2021, childbirth encouragement allowances have been provided monthly for children born after January 1, 2021.
First, 500,000 KRW is paid upon childbirth, and from the first child, 100,000 KRW per month is paid for two years, totaling 2,900,000 KRW.
From the second child, 100,000 KRW per month is paid for three years, totaling 4,100,000 KRW, and from the third child, 200,000 KRW per month is paid for five years, totaling 12,500,000 KRW.
The allowance is paid after application at the town or township office and verification of the birth and the address of the father or mother. From the second child onward, health insurance premiums are supported for five years, and insurance benefits are guaranteed for ten years. However, benefits cannot be received if the address is moved to another city or county.
Since last year, the ‘First Meeting Voucher (2,000,000 KRW)’ given to newborn children has also been provided. In addition, Sancheong-gun implements various policies such as support for incoming workers and incentives for companies and corporations contributing to population growth.
A county official said, “We are implementing various population policies so that incoming residents, settled residents, and young people can receive benefits,” adding, “This year, in accordance with the Special Act on Support for Population Decline Areas, we will establish a five-year basic plan and implementation plan to achieve substantial population growth.”
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