"The Year That Could Mark the Rebound of Low Birth Rates"
Yoo Hyemi, the Chief of Low Birthrate Response at the Presidential Office, evaluated on the 23rd that the number of births in August showed the highest growth rate since 2010 for the month of August, saying, "We view this optimistically" and "It signals the beginning of a turnaround in the low birthrate."
Yoo appeared on SBS News Briefing that day and said, "The number of births has increased for two consecutive months in July and August compared to the same months last year, following the second quarter," adding, "We believe it has hit the bottom and is rebounding."
According to Statistics Korea's 'August Population Trends,' the number of births in August was 20,098, an increase of 1,124 (5.9%) compared to the same month last year. This is the highest growth rate for August since 2010 (6.1%). Following July's 20,601 (7.9% increase), the number has exceeded 20,000 for two consecutive months, raising expectations that the third quarter, following the second quarter, could also record a 'plus' growth.
Yoo said, "What is hopeful is that the number of marriages is also increasing together, and since an increase in marriages leads to an increase in births with a time lag, the possibility of further growth has increased," expressing hope that "this could be the first year of a low birthrate rebound."
Regarding the criticism that the surge in marriages was due to postponed weddings because of COVID-19 happening all at once, Yoo diagnosed, "While we cannot exclude such an effect, government policies improving conditions for marriage and childbirth, such as work-family balance and care support, have been effective."
She continued, "It is important to establish family-friendly policies in companies and society," adding, "We are providing tax benefits and incentives so that small and micro enterprises can utilize related systems."
Addressing the criticism that although the goal is a total fertility rate of 1.0, last year's total fertility rate was 0.72, Yoo explained, "A survey conducted by the Low Fertility and Aging Society Committee showed that the ideal number of children is 1.8," and "People want to have children, but conditions do not support it."
Yoo emphasized, "Next year's total budget has increased by about 3%, but even under the government's fiscal austerity policy, the budget related to low birthrate response was boldly increased by 22%," and added, "We will expand policy support further next year."
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