How South Korea Boosted Its Birth Rate and What Singapore Can Learn
South Korea's fertility rate, which had hit a record low of 0.72 in 2023, has shown a modest but notable increase in the past two years, reaching 0.8 in 2025. This rebound has sparked interest in Singapore, which is facing its own declining birth rate, as it grapples with a fertility rate of 0.87 in 2025. Experts suggest that Singapore can learn valuable lessons from South Korea's approach.
The South Korean government has invested over 360 trillion won (US$250 billion) since 2006 in programs aimed at raising birth rates. These initiatives include childcare subsidies, cash grants, and housing incentives. Despite initial failures, a more intensive push, such as the 2022 'Birth Support Project' in Seoul, has shown promising results. The project offers welfare housing for newlyweds and expanded daycare capacity, along with financial incentives like 2 million won upon the birth of a child and 3 million won for subsequent births. Additionally, parental leave has been extended to up to three years of shared leave.
However, the success of South Korea's efforts goes beyond financial incentives. It involves a cultural shift, with South Korean officials highlighting the importance of changing social attitudes. Parents interviewed by CNN reported that greater acceptance of parental leave, especially from employers, has made it easier to balance careers and family life. This shift in mindset is crucial, as it encourages employers to support working parents.
Professor Jean Yeung of the National University of Singapore's Department of Paediatrics points out that many of South Korea's measures are similar to those already in place in Singapore. Singapore provides paid maternity leave for up to 16 weeks, four weeks for fathers, and 10 weeks of shared parental leave. However, South Korea's three-year entitlement for couples is more comprehensive. Dr. Kalpana Vignehsa, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), suggests that Singapore can further enhance its workplace culture by implementing policies that support parents and encourage flexible work arrangements.
The demographic landscape in South Korea has also played a role in the rebound. A larger cohort of people in their 30s, the children of baby boomers, is now entering peak childbearing years. In contrast, Singapore's 'baby-bust generation' is nearing the end of its prime marriageable years, with a median age of first-time mothers at 31.9 years in 2024. This suggests that fewer women will enter prime marriage and childbearing ages in the coming decade.
Despite the positive signs, experts caution against over-interpreting South Korea's improvement. The fertility rate remains extremely low, and the sustainability of the increase is uncertain. Dr. Tan Poh Lin from the IPS suggests that the rebound signals the effectiveness of sustained messaging and incentives. Changing mindsets requires patience and persistence, with a focus on nurturing the desire to start a family from an early age.
Dr. Kalpana Vignehsa also emphasizes the importance of rebuilding community support, such as childcare jobs, which play a 'key role' in giving couples confidence to start families. She highlights the need for a supportive environment that encourages parenthood and addresses the challenges of modern life, such as heavy smartphone use among youths, which can weaken relationship formation and marriage rates. The recent ban on smartphones in secondary schools is a step in the right direction.
In conclusion, while South Korea's approach has shown promise, it is clear that raising fertility rates is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted strategy. Singapore can learn from South Korea's efforts, but it must also adapt these lessons to its unique cultural and demographic context. The key lies in creating a supportive environment that encourages parenthood and addresses the challenges that modern families face.
