38% of Cities, Counties, and Districts Have Fewer Than 10 Childbirths a Year... The Reality Behind 'Childbirth Deserts'

Even Cities Like Gwacheon, Dongducheon, and Naju Are 'Childbirth Deserts'
Lack of Local Childbirth Facilities Is Also a Factor

It has been found that in more than one out of every three cities, counties, or districts nationwide, the annual number of childbirths does not even reach 10, making them 'childbirth deserts.'

The photo is unrelated to the article. Pixabay

According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on August 10, there were a total of 237,484 childbirths last year (based on review decisions as of April this year) at hospitals, clinics, general hospitals, tertiary hospitals, and birthing centers nationwide. An analysis by the location of these medical institutions showed that in 97 out of a total of 251 cities, counties, and districts (38.6%), there were fewer than 10 childbirths per year.

Areas with low numbers of childbirths were mostly counties with small populations, but some city-level areas were also included. These include Gwacheon, Dongducheon, Uiwang, Anseong, and Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province; Taebaek in Gangwon Province; Gyeryong in South Chungcheong Province; Gimje in North Jeolla Province; Naju in South Jeolla Province; and Mungyeong and Gyeongsan in North Gyeongsang Province. In county-level areas, with the exception of a few such as Cheorwon in Gangwon Province; Jincheon in North Chungcheong Province; Hongseong in South Chungcheong Province; Gangjin, Yeonggwang, and Haenam in South Jeolla Province; and Yecheon and Uljin in North Gyeongsang Province, most had fewer than 10 childbirths per year.

This result differs from the Statistics Korea birth statistics. Last year, the only regions with fewer than 50 births were Yeongyang County (30 births) and Ulleung County (26 births), and in these areas, the number of newborns exceeded the number of childbirths recorded locally (fewer than 10). This is because some residents give birth in other areas due to the absence or inadequacy of local childbirth facilities. In other words, even if there are fewer than 10 childbirths at medical institutions in a region, this does not mean that fewer than 10 babies were born to residents of that region.

However, given the small number of births itself, experts point out that it is realistically difficult to equip every city, county, and district with childbirth facilities. Yoon Seokjun, a professor at Korea University College of Medicine, said, "The government has long supported childbirth-vulnerable areas, but even with government support, it is difficult for hospitals to remain open," adding, "It is more efficient to strengthen emergency transport systems, promote cooperation with neighboring areas, and expand medical networks."