Incheon Leads Nation in Birth Rate Increase... "Birth Policy Giving 100 Million Won for Having Children Shows Effect"

The birth rate growth in Incheon recorded the highest nationwide. According to Incheon City on the 2nd, the number of births in Incheon from January to September this year was 11,326, an 8.3% increase compared to the same period last year.

This is the highest figure among the 17 cities and provinces nationwide, far surpassing the next ranks: Seoul (3.5%), Daegu (3.2%), and Chungnam (2.7%). Nationwide, the number of births increased by 178,600, with an average growth rate of 0.7%.

Incheon's total fertility rate (the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her reproductive years) also rose from 0.67 in the third quarter of last year to 0.8 in the third quarter of this year, showing the second-largest increase nationwide after Sejong City.

Along with this, according to the 2024 Statistics Korea announcement, Incheon's crude marriage rate (the number of new marriages per 1,000 people) is 3.7, the same as the national average, and the number of marriages from January to September totaled 9,661, a 12.4% increase compared to the previous year. With this increase in marriage rates, there is a high possibility of a subsequent rise in birth rates, and the city expects Incheon to maintain a stable upward trend in birth rates in the future.

Domestic population movement statistics also send positive signals regarding the increase in Incheon's birth rate. According to Statistics Korea's domestic migration statistics, since May 2021, Incheon has never recorded a negative net migration rate. Every year, the number of people moving in exceeds those moving out, steadily increasing Incheon's population.

The city forecasts that this continuous population inflow will positively impact the increase in birth rates. Additionally, Incheon’s low birth rate countermeasures have been evaluated as contributing to the rise in birth rates.

Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok held a press conference on the 18th to announce the Incheon-style low birthrate policy, '100 Million Plus i Dream.' 2023.12.18 Provided by Incheon City

The city is currently implementing the '100 Million Plus i Dream' policy, which provides a total of 100 million KRW in support for every child born in Incheon until they turn 18. Announced last December, this policy offers pregnant women 500,000 KRW for transportation expenses and provides children aged 1 to 7 with an annual 'Angel Support Fund' of 1.2 million KRW. Furthermore, separate from the government child allowance, the 'Child Dream Allowance' project has been in effect since last August, providing children aged 8 to 18 in Incheon with monthly payments ranging from 50,000 to 150,000 KRW.

To address the national issue of continuously declining birth rates due to high housing costs and other burdens, the city plans to supply 1,000 units of 'Thousand-Won Housing,' where newlywed (prospective) couples pay a daily rent of 1,000 KRW, starting next year.

An official from Incheon City stated, "Maintaining the highest birth rate growth nationwide for four consecutive months since last June is evidence that Incheon’s birth policies are effective," adding, "We will work harder to develop policies that make the city optimal for childbirth and childcare."