On the morning of October 21, first-grade students participate in a ball-rolling game during the fall sports day for first and second graders at Bugok Elementary School in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon. (Yonhap)
INCHEON, Nov. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – Incheon, a metropolitan city on South Korea’s west coast, has recorded the nation’s highest birth rate growth in 2024, buoyed by bold pro-family policies.
The city announced on November 29 that 11,326 babies were born in Incheon between January and September, an 8.3% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This growth rate far outpaces the national average of 0.7%, with Seoul (3.5%), Daegu (3.2%), and South Chungcheong Province (2.7%) trailing behind.
Incheon’s total fertility rate rose from 0.67 in the third quarter of 2023 to 0.8 in 2024, the second-largest increase in the country after Sejong. Marriage rates in the city also surged, with 9,661 unions registered in the first nine months of 2024—a 12.4% year-on-year rise.
City officials attribute the sharp rise in births to targeted measures such as the “1 Billion Plus iDream” program, which promises ₩100 million (approximately $71,500 USD) in financial support to every child born in Incheon until they turn 18.
Additionally, the “1,000-Won Housing” scheme offers newlyweds affordable rental options at just ₩1,000 (less than $1 USD) per day.
Public opinion surveys have shown broad support for direct cash incentives to boost birth rates. A May poll conducted by the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission found that 62.6% of respondents believed such financial support would motivate parents to have more children.
The survey explored hypothetical scenarios, such as providing ₩100 million for a first child, ₩200 million for a second, and ₩300 million for three or more. While the proposed scale would cost an estimated ₩23 trillion annually, 63.6% of respondents supported the expenditure as a necessary measure to combat the country’s declining birth rate.
Incheon’s proactive approach underscores its commitment to addressing South Korea’s demographic challenges, which have been exacerbated by historically low fertility rates.
“The rise in birth and marriage rates is a testament to the effectiveness of Incheon’s tailored policies,” said an official from the city government. “We will continue to develop initiatives to make Incheon a model city for raising families.”
These developments come as South Korea grapples with its status as one of the world’s fastest-aging nations, with policy experts urging bold and creative solutions to reverse the trend.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
