Gangjin County Launches Full Implementation of 'Basic Birth Allowance'

Linked with Childcare Allowance...
Establishing a Robust Support System

Gangjin County in Jeollanam-do (Governor Kang Jinwon) has announced plans to officially implement a groundbreaking measure to address the low birth rate by providing a basic birth allowance starting January this year.

According to the county on the 15th, the basic birth allowance applies to children who have registered their birth in Jeollanam-do after January 1, 2024. Each child will receive 200,000 KRW monthly from age 1 to 18. The payment will be equally funded by the provincial and county governments, each covering 100,000 KRW.

Gangjin County will officially implement the basic birth allowance starting January 2025. Provided by Gangjin County

To be eligible for the basic birth allowance, the child must have their resident registration in Jeollanam-do at the time of birth registration, and both the child and their guardians (both parents) must continuously maintain their resident registration in Jeollanam-do from the date of birth registration.

However, as an exception for children born in 2024, if either guardian (father or mother) did not have their resident registration in Jeollanam-do, the allowance can still be provided if they transfer their address to Jeollanam-do before applying for the basic birth allowance.

Gangjin County will link the new basic birth allowance with existing childcare allowances: for children aged 0, the existing childcare allowance of 600,000 KRW will be provided; for ages 1 to 6, the provincial birth allowance of 100,000 KRW (in cash) and Gangjin County’s childcare allowance of 500,000 KRW will be given; and for ages 7 to 18, the provincial birth allowance of 100,000 KRW (in cash) and Gangjin County’s birth allowance of 100,000 KRW (in mobile local gift certificates) will be provided.

This new basic birth allowance is seen as a policy that not only improves the existing childcare support system but also significantly reduces the financial burden felt by parents. Jeollanam-do and Gangjin County expect this policy to increase the birth rate and help alleviate the issue of population decline in the region.

To ensure the stable operation of the basic birth allowance, Gangjin County plans to establish an ordinance and allocate a supplementary budget in the first half of 2025. In addition, applications and payments for the basic birth allowance will begin in January, and more systematic support will be provided through linkage with the existing childcare allowance.

Kim Eunsook, Director of Resident Happiness, stated, “We expect the introduction of this basic birth allowance to have a positive impact on addressing the low birth rate and increasing population inflow. We will continue to expand child-rearing friendly policies and do our utmost to create an environment where it is easy to have and raise children.”