South Korea’s younger generation perceives marriage and childbirth with overwhelmingly negative emotions. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 12 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent study reveals that South Korea’s younger generation perceives marriage and childbirth with overwhelmingly negative emotions, with financial concerns emerging as the dominant theme.
The Korean Peninsula Population Institute for Future (KPPIF), a nonprofit research organization, analyzed approximately 50,000 posts on the workplace community platform Blind from November 2024 onward, focusing on discussions related to marriage, childbirth, and parenting. The study, published on March 11, highlights the persistent anxieties young people associate with family formation.
According to the report, 32.3% of marriage-related posts expressed sadness, while 24.6% conveyed fear. In discussions on childbirth, emotions of disgust (23.8%) and fear (21.3%) were prominent. By contrast, posts reflecting happiness were sparse, comprising only 9.3% of marriage-related content, 7.3% of childbirth discussions, and 13.1% of parenting posts.
Although South Korea’s total fertility rate saw a slight increase from 0.72 in 2023 to 0.74 in 2024, the study underscores that negative perceptions about marriage and childbirth remain deeply entrenched among young people.
Financial concerns dominated online discourse, with “money” appearing in 28.9% of marriage-related posts and ranking among the top five keywords in childbirth discussions (13.2%). The term “housing” was also frequently mentioned, particularly in conversations about parenting and parental leave.
The study categorized major discussion topics, revealing that “marriage preparation and conditions” accounted for 57.9% of marriage-related posts. Among childbirth-related discussions, the top themes included “economic support for childbirth” (19.9%) and “declining birthrates and socioeconomic changes” (36.8%). Parenting conversations centered around “child-rearing and parental roles at home” (69.6%) and “workplace support for parenting and career management” (30.4%).
Despite the recent uptick in the fertility rate, researchers caution against interpreting it as the beginning of a long-term rebound. “While the increase is encouraging, it is likely a temporary recovery following delays in marriage and childbirth due to the pandemic,” the report states.
Yoo Hye-jung, head of the Population Research Center at the Korean Peninsula Population Institute for Future (KPPIF), stressed the urgent need for policy intervention. “To address the population crisis, we must alleviate the economic burdens on young people and improve work-life balance. Companies should foster family-friendly work environments and promote parental leave, while the government must prioritize housing stability and expand meaningful childcare support measures.”
As South Korea grapples with historically low birthrates, the findings underscore the critical role that economic and workplace reforms will play in shaping the nation’s demographic future.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
