Mapo-gu Birth Rate Soars to 13.2%, Far Exceeding National Average of 3.6% and Seoul's 5.4%
"Haetbit Center," "Cheokeut Center," and "Babysitter House" Play Key Roles in Boosting Births
Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) is gaining attention as a region leading the resolution of low birthrate issues, with a significant increase in the number of births through a consumer-centered one-stop support policy for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting.
According to the '2024 Population Trends Birth and Death Statistics' released by Statistics Korea, the number of births in Mapo-gu was 1,778, an increase of 207 from 1,571 the previous year, recording a growth rate of 13.2%.
This figure far exceeds the national average of 3.6% and Seoul's average of 5.4%, presenting a new model for increasing birth rates.
The increase in births in Mapo-gu is largely attributed to the ‘Haetbit Center,’ which opened in July 2023, and the ‘Cheokeut Center,’ a support center for unmarried mothers that began operations in November.
The ‘Haetbit Center’ provides a one-stop service covering all processes from pregnancy preparation to postpartum care, operating various programs such as support for infertile couples, health management for pregnant women, prevention of prenatal and postpartum depression, and home visits for childbirth families, receiving great response.
The number of medical expense supports for infertile couples residing in Mapo-gu, including artificial insemination procedure fees and medication costs, increased by about 95%, from 1,353 cases in 2023 to 2,639 cases in 2024.
Additionally, mental health screenings for prenatal and postpartum depression were conducted on 1,837 individuals in childbirth families, and those identified as high-risk were linked to related institutions such as mental health welfare centers for intensive care support.
Postpartum care expenses, providing a voucher of 1 million KRW per newborn, were supported in 2,999 cases to aid proper postpartum recovery.
Furthermore, a total of 157 educational sessions were held in 2024, including pregnancy preparation classes for couples, Saturday classes for prospective parents, and childbirth preparation classes, with 2,285 participants receiving significant help in preparing for childbirth and parenting.
Mapo-gu also operates the ‘Cheokeut Center,’ which offers comprehensive management support for unmarried mothers from start to finish.
The ‘Cheokeut Center’ supports unmarried mothers to receive care comfortably, with professional nurses providing counseling for pregnancy registration, health management, mental health counseling, and medical expense support.
After childbirth, it supports child-rearing expenses, education costs, and helps maintain stable living conditions through vocational training and public rental housing support for low-income single-parent families.
In addition, Mapo-gu runs specialized projects unique to the district, such as the ‘Babysitter House’ and ‘Mom Cafe,’ to help parents comfortably care for their babies after birth.
The ‘Babysitter House’ utilizes existing public daycare centers to provide a trustworthy childcare environment, offering useful childcare services for dual-income families and parents who return home late.
It serves children aged 0 to 5 with extended operating hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., balanced meals, and a spacious, comfortable childcare environment.
The ‘Mom Cafe’ is a space where mothers raising children can relieve depression or stress while their children are at childcare facilities or school.
It features convenience facilities such as karaoke rooms, reading spaces, and shared kitchens, allowing mothers to laugh, communicate, and enjoy healthy healing together.
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “The 13.2% increase in birthrate in Mapo-gu is very encouraging amid the serious low birthrate situation,” adding, “We will continue to build a public care system supporting childbirth through parenting to make Mapo-gu a great place to have and raise children.”
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