The Only City in South Jeolla Province with Three Consecutive Years of Increasing Births
Tailored Support Across the Entire Cycle from Pregnancy to Child-Rearing
Jeonnam's Largest Public Postpartum Care Center to Reopen in February
Yoon Byungtae, Mayor of Naju City, is participating in a Taegukgi (Korean national flag) making experience with children. Provided by Naju City
Naju City in South Jeolla Province is establishing itself as a city where it is easy to have and raise children, achieving a significant milestone of increasing the number of births for three consecutive years. This has been made possible through comprehensive support policies that cover the entire life cycle, from pregnancy and childbirth to child-rearing.
On January 17, Naju City announced that the number of births, which stood at 680 in 2022, increased to 735 in 2023, 788 in 2024, and reached 791 in 2025, marking three consecutive years of growth.
While the number of births continues to decline nationwide, this sustained increase-rather than a short-term rebound-serves as an indicator that Naju's pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare policies are delivering tangible results on the ground.
Among the 22 cities and counties in South Jeolla Province, only six regions have seen an increase in births for three consecutive years. Of these, Naju is the only city-level municipality among the five in the province to achieve this result.
The number of pregnant women is also rising alongside the increase in births. In 2025, the number of registered pregnant women in Naju is 843, up by 63 from the previous year, raising expectations for a continued upward trend in births.
As of 2023, the total fertility rate in Naju City was 1.09, surpassing the national average and ranking first among the five city-level municipalities in the province. In 2024, the rate increased to 1.16, maintaining the top spot and remaining well above the national average of 0.72.
This is seen as the outcome of focused policies on childbirth and care. By easing various requirements such as residency period and income criteria, and designing support policies that all families can benefit from, the effectiveness of these childbirth support measures is reflected in the numbers.
The city is also implementing a preconception health management program for both men and women aged 20 to 49, regardless of marital status or whether they have children. In addition, it provides financial support for infertility treatments without income restrictions or limits on the number of procedures.
The household care service for pregnant women, aimed at reducing their domestic workload, is also receiving positive feedback.
From the 21st week of pregnancy until childbirth, a household care manager is dispatched to each home to provide cleaning and organizing services for four hours per session, up to four times in total.
Since November 2022, Naju City has eliminated the previous requirement of six months of mandatory residency for childbirth incentive payments. Now, the incentive is provided even if the family has lived at the registered address for just one day.
The amount of support has also been expanded. Since July 2023, the city has provided 3 million won for the first child, 5 million won for the second, and 10 million won for the third child and beyond, significantly easing the financial burden on families with newborns.
Furthermore, for babies born on or after January 1, 2024, the city has implemented a basic income policy for newborns, combining 100,000 won from South Jeolla Province and 100,000 won from Naju City to provide 200,000 won per month for 18 years.
The city is also strengthening its childbirth infrastructure. In February, the fourth Jeonnam Public Postpartum Care Center, located at Bitgaram General Hospital, will reopen after facility upgrades.
The Naju Public Postpartum Care Center, which will be the largest in the province, will expand to 18 rooms for mothers and add new facilities such as a healing program room and a dedicated elevator for pregnant women, providing a safer and more comfortable environment.
Additionally, the center will introduce new spaces that have received positive feedback from mothers, including acupressure massage rooms, yoga rooms, foot baths, and breastfeeding rooms, transforming the facility into a "small healing center" that supports mothers' recovery and relaxation beyond simple postpartum care.
Naju City plans to continue expanding its low birthrate response policies so that having and raising children becomes a shared responsibility and hope for the entire community, rather than an individual burden.
Yoon Byungtae, Mayor of Naju City, stated, "Naju is taking steps toward becoming a city where having and raising children is not a burden but a source of hope and happiness. I hope that our policies, which involve administrative support throughout the entire process of childbirth and child-rearing, as well as the newly expanded public postpartum care center opening in February, will help create a healthier environment for raising children."
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