A growing number of childcare facilities are finding new purpose as long-term care centers for the elderly. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Korea Bizwire) – As South Korea grapples with a plummeting birth rate, a growing number of childcare facilities are finding new purpose as long-term care centers for the elderly, highlighting the country’s dramatic demographic shift.
According to data obtained by Representative Jeon Jin-suk of the Democratic Party from 17 provincial and metropolitan governments, 283 nurseries and kindergartens have been converted into long-term care facilities for the elderly since 2014.
This trend has accelerated in recent years, with conversions increasing by 55.6% over the past five years, from 36 in 2019 to 56 in 2023.
The pace shows no signs of slowing. As of August this year, 38 facilities have already changed their signboards, surpassing half of last year’s total conversions.
Gyeonggi Province led the nation with 52 conversions, followed by South Gyeongsang Province with 47, South Chungcheong Province with 28, the city of Gwangju with 24, and North Gyeongsang Province with 23.
The demographic shift is so pronounced that even postpartum care centers, once bustling with new mothers and infants, are being repurposed. One such conversion has occurred in each of five regions: Seoul, South Chungcheong Province, Daejeon, North Jeolla Province, and Incheon.
“The low birth rate and aging population are causing financial struggles for early childhood education and care institutions, while demand for elderly long-term care facilities is on the rise,” Jeon said.
She emphasized the need for government action, stating, “The government should conduct long-term surveys on nursery closures and demand for long-term care facilities to establish plans for expanding public services.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
