"Our Country's Youth 'New Adulthood' Emerges... Marriage and Childbirth Ages Also Increase"

'The 1st Future and Population Strategy Forum' Held

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] An analysis has emerged that the 'adult transition period' seen in developed countries is also appearing in South Korea, leading to an increase in the age of marriage and childbirth. Unlike the legal adult age of 19, the actual period of transition from childhood to adulthood is lengthening, causing difficulties in making decisions about marriage and childbirth.

Yoo Min-sang, a research fellow at the Korea Youth Policy Institute, presented these findings on the 22nd at the '1st Future and Population Strategy Forum' held at the Bankers Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, under the theme "Perceptions and Implications of Marriage and Childbirth among Youth in the Adult Transition Period."

The adult transition period refers to a phase where individuals do not abruptly shift from adolescence to adulthood but rather explore education and training to achieve stable independence. This stage mainly appears in developed countries and is recognized as a new phase between adolescence and adulthood. Typically, during this period, individuals spend time receiving education and training while exploring stable employment.

Researcher Yoo analyzed that considering South Korea's high rate of higher education enrollment and the rising age of first marriage and average childbirth, this new adult phase has also emerged in South Korea, with an increasing number of young people experiencing confusion. In fact, last year, the higher education enrollment rate reached 73.8%, and compared to 1990, the age of first marriage increased by about 5.5 years for men (from 27.8 to 33.3 years) and 6.3 years for women (from 24.8 to 31.1 years) as of 2021.

Poster of the 1st Future and Population Strategy Forum.
[Photo by Ministry of Health and Welfare]

This perception is also reflected in subjective surveys of young people. The proportion of those who often or always feel they have become adults, despite having passed the adult age of 19, only exceeded half at age 30 (56%). At age 20 (28%) and even at 25 (35%), the proportion who often or always felt adult was much lower than those who sometimes felt or hardly felt adult. Due to this delay in subjective adult perception, the age of marriage and childbirth is also increasing.

Researcher Yoo stated, "The change in perceptions regarding marriage and childbirth is a macro-level shift occurring not only among the current youth generation but also among adolescents. Youth and low birthrate policies need to shift from trying to change individual perceptions to supporting independence policies that enable individuals to realize and stabilize their life goals and choices."

Following Researcher Yoo, Professor Choi Seul-gi of the KDI School of Public Policy and Management presented on "Current Status and Policy Tasks of Low Birthrate," examining changes in marriage and childbirth perceptions among the youth generation based on last year's "Survey on Korean Family and Marriage Values." Professor Choi emphasized, "Since marriage and childbirth are matters of choice rather than absolute norms for the majority of young people, the government should focus on institutional improvements and practical support to make having children a rational choice for individuals, rather than promoting or encouraging marriage and childbirth."

This forum was organized to understand the changed perceptions of youth regarding marriage and childbirth and to seek effective government policy directions in response. Lee Ki-il, the 1st Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, said, "We will thoroughly review the opinions and ideas discussed at the forum to create an environment where young people can plan their futures stably, where workplaces and living spaces are not consumed by competition, where they can spend sufficient time with their families, and where they can marry and have the desired number of children at their preferred time and live happily."