South Koreans desire multiple children but cite financial burdens for lower birth rates

A study by the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy reveals a significant gap between the ideal and actual number of children among South Koreans. While 71% of respondents aged 20 to 49 consider having two or more children to be ideal, the average number of children actually had or expected to have is only 1.07.

Economic factors are the primary driver for this discrepancy. All respondents who reported having fewer children than desired cited the burden of child-rearing and education costs as a key reason. Other significant obstacles include difficulties in balancing work and childcare (40.4%) and housing-related issues (36.6%).

The report notes that for those who did have more children than their initial ideal, strong family support (37.5%) and a favorable work-life balance (22.5%) were the most critical contributing factors. Researchers emphasized that while financial stability is central to childbirth decisions, complex factors such as policy support, childcare burdens, and career continuity increasingly impact reproductive choices.