Jangseong County Ranks 4th Nationwide in Birth Rate...What Is the Secret to Its Top Ranking?

Last Year's Birth Rate Reached 1.34, Nearly Double the National Average
Expansion of Family Happiness Center, Youth Center, and Smart Agriculture Support
Active Childbirth and Childcare Support... Newborn Care Subsidies and Fee Reductions

Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, ranked fourth nationwide with a total fertility rate of 1.34 in 2024. According to data released by Statistics Korea, this is nearly twice the national average of 0.75.

Kim Hanjong, Jangseong County Governor (center), is visiting local mother and baby households to express gratitude on the 28th of last month. Provided by Jangseong County

Jangseong-gun announced on the 1st that, although its birth rate dropped below 1 due to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021?2022, it rebounded to 1.15 in 2023 and increased by 0.19 this year, placing it among the top in the nation.

Last year, the county opened the 'Family Happiness Center,' strengthening childcare support by providing welfare services such as a toy rental shop, a shared parenting space, and an all-together care center in one location. Along with the 'Youth Center,' which is scheduled to open early next year, support for young people settling in the region is also being expanded.

In addition, through the creation of a smart agriculture development zone with a budget of 39.1 billion KRW, the county is supporting young farmers, and plans to start construction of the 'Return-to-Farming and Rural Settlement Support Center' in the second half of the year. Furthermore, with the Jangseong Center of The Born Food Service Industry Development Institute set to be completed in June, there are high expectations for revitalizing restaurant startups and traditional markets.

Support for childbirth and childcare is also active. Various policies are being implemented, including health checkups for newlyweds, free obstetrics and gynecology services, newborn childcare subsidies, provision of congratulatory gifts for childbirth, and discounts on public postpartum care center fees.

Governor Kim Hanjong said, "We will make Jangseong a city where people grow and the sound of babies crying never stops," adding, "We will lay the cornerstone of hope for the future of the region."