The Policy Evaluation Research Institute (hereinafter referred to as PERI, President: Chong-Bum An) officially launched the “Fiscal Game” (https://fiscalgame.askperi.kr/?lang=en) on March 4, 2025, with the goal of enhancing public understanding of national fiscal management.
As Korea faces mounting fiscal challenges—driven by low birth rates, an aging population, sluggish economic growth, and the rise of populist policies that have pushed the national debt to over 50% of GDP (translating to approximately 22 million KRW in debt per citizen)—the need for greater public awareness and engagement in fiscal matters is more critical than ever. To address this, PERI developed the “Fiscal Game” as a tool to help the public better understand key national issues and complex fiscal policies, and to explore potential solutions.
The game is based on The Fiscal Ship, a product of the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at the Brookings Institution and the Wilson Center.
In the “Fiscal Game,” players set national goals and select from 15 policy options. The outcomes of their policy choices are immediately reflected, showing how the fiscal outlook of the country would change by the year 2055. Users can visually assess whether Korea’s fiscal situation improves or worsens based on their decisions. The game also highlights intergenerational impacts, allowing users to experience how different age groups—young and elderly—might be affected.
The “Fiscal Game” serves as an innovative tool to increase public understanding of national fiscal management, support policy research and simulations, and foster active participation in policy discussions. Through its engaging and educational approach, the game is expected to play a key role in promoting informed public dialogue and enhancing civic participation in fiscal policy debates.
<PERI, Policy Evaluation Research Institute>
