Incheon City continues to lead the nation with the highest birth rate growth this year by implementing various policies to overcome low birth rates, supporting everything from marriage preparation to childbirth and childcare.
According to the city on the 22nd, as of October last year (Statistics Korea population trends), the number of births in the Incheon area was 12,472, an increase of 10.2% compared to the same period in 2023 (national average 1.9%). This is the highest growth rate among the 17 cities and provinces nationwide, far surpassing the next highest rates in Daegu (4.7%), Seoul (4.3%), Sejong (4.2%), and Chungnam (3.4%).
Last year, the total number of births nationwide was 199,999, an increase of 3,806 from the previous year, with Incheon accounting for 1,182 of the increase, representing 31% of the national newborn increase.
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 2023 to 0.8 in the third quarter of last year, showing the second-largest increase nationwide after Sejong City. This marks a significant change compared to Incheon’s previously low ranking in total fertility rates before 2023.
The city attributes this rebound in birth rates to Incheon-specific low birth rate policies such as '1 Billion Plus i Dream' and 'i Plus Jip Dream' and plans to continue promoting related projects this year.
Launched last year, the 1 Billion Plus i Dream is a policy that supports every child born in Incheon with a total of 100 million KRW until they turn 18. It provides 500,000 KRW in transportation expenses to pregnant women and an annual 'Angel Support Fund' of 1.2 million KRW for children aged 1 to 7. Additionally, separate from the government’s child allowance, children aged 8 to 18 in Incheon receive a monthly 'i Dream Allowance' ranging from 50,000 to 150,000 KRW.
Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok holds a press conference to announce the Incheon-style low birthrate policy, '100 Million Plus i Dream.' December 18, 2023. Photo by Incheon City
To address the national issue of continuously declining birth rates due to high housing costs, the city plans to supply 1,000 units of 'Thousand-Won Housing' for newlyweds (including engaged couples) starting this year, with a daily rent of 1,000 KRW.
Support for infertility treatment costs will also be strengthened. The support will expand from 25 treatments per couple to 25 treatments per childbirth, and the previous age-based limit of 44 years will be removed, providing up to 1.1 million KRW regardless of age. Starting next month, a new 'Mom Comfortable Postpartum Care Cost' program will offer a 1.5 million KRW voucher to basic livelihood security recipients and disabled mothers.
A new gap-care service for elementary school students will also be introduced. Night and weekend care will be piloted through the Together Care Centers, and a rest area will be created within the centers to provide bedside care when children are sick. Additionally, reflecting user demand, the lunch support program during school vacations, launched in July last year, will continue.
Alongside this, the city operates 59 'Incheon-style i Sarang Dream Centers' in collaboration with the local community to create a child-rearing environment. These centers provide infant care and play spaces, parent education, and co-parenting programs. Furthermore, the 'Innovative Childcare Complex Center,' equipped with indoor play experience facilities, a children's library, and counseling rooms, is scheduled to be completed in Bupyeong District by July next year.
An Incheon city official stated, "The youth who give up on dating itself are a factor leading to decreases in marriage and childbirth," adding, "We also plan to implement policies supporting meetings and marriages targeting residents registered in Incheon or workers employed by local companies."
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