Session 2 : PERI-IRP Evidence-Based Population Policy
Session 2, Focuses on discussing Population Policies of key professors from the Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP) at the University of Wisconsin. It begins with Barbara Wolfe, a professor of Economics at Wisconsin IRP, presenting “Perspectives on South Korea’s Birth Rate and Policy Recommendations.” Following this, Timothy Smeeding, a professor of Public Affairs and Economics at the University of Wisconsin, continues with “Birth Rates, Immigration? Policies Needed for South Korea.” Lastly, Marcy Carlson, associate dean of the School of Education and professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin, presents “Effective Population Policies for South Korea.
SPEAKERS
Barbara Wolfe(Richard A Easterlin Professor of the Economics and Public Affairs and Affiliate, Institute for Research on Poverty(IRP), University of Wisconsin-Madison)
<“Insights into Fertility and implications for Policy in South Korea”>
Income levels and women’s labor force participation rates worldwide are increasingly seen as losing their traditional correlation with fertility rates. Instead, it has been found that higher rates of paternal involvement positively impact fertility rates in most countries where the fertility rate falls below 1.5. In many of these nations, including South Korea, men’s participation in household chores remains below one-third. In South Korea specifically, women’s education levels and labor force participation rates continue to rise. Economically, since the 1997 economic downturn, there have been concerns that women returning to work after maternity leave may face setbacks in terms of wages and career advancement. Factors such as dependency ratios, rising costs of private education, and housing price increases in South Korea contribute to declining birth rates.
While the South Korean government has implemented various policies such as childbirth encouragement subsidies and reducing working hours for women, their impact has been limited. Compared to the United States, South Korea culturally holds strong beliefs that men should bear the financial burden of households, and there is a prevalent negative perception towards mothers working before their children start school. Additionally, South Korea exhibits lower rates of male involvement in household and childcare duties compared to the U.S., and gender wage gaps are more pronounced. To address these issues and boost birth rates, efforts are needed to increase the division of household chores, particularly childcare responsibilities among South Korean men. It is also crucial to narrow the gender wage gap in the labor market and reduce working hours at workplaces to support childbirth and childcare. Ensuring that individuals taking parental leave are not disadvantaged in terms of wages or promotions is essential. Favorable housing policies for individuals with children could also be beneficial.
ㅇTimothy Smeeding(Distinguished Professor of Public Affairs and Economics at University of Wisconsin-Madison)
<“Fertility Rates, Immigration? Policies Needed for South Korea”>
South Korea’s declining fertility rate poses direct challenges such as the inability to sustain pension and healthcare expenditures due to population aging, as well as a reduction in the working-age population essential for national defense. To address these issues, increasing South Korea’s actual fertility rate or boosting fertility through young immigrant populations could be considered. Enhancing policy support related to childbirth, such as maternity leave for women and paternity leave for men, is crucial to raising South Korea’s actual fertility rate. Despite existing levels of policy support, South Korea faces constraints such as wage gaps for women who give birth and cultural biases against working mothers. Therefore, cultural shifts towards viewing childbirth favorably in both workplace settings and societal contexts are necessary. It’s important to increase the proportion of men taking paid paternity leave and ensure that women and men returning from childbirth or childcare leave do not face unfair wage reductions or job changes.
Furthermore, increasing incentives for childbirth and childcare, and considering immigration policies actively, are necessary. Currently, in the United States, childbirth rates through immigrants exceed those among native residents. In South Korea, actively considering immigration policies that grant permanent residency and Korean citizenship to children of immigrants is essential. Presently, short-term migrant workers in South Korea predominantly endure low wages for temporary employment and return to their home countries unmarried. Short-term migrants do not significantly contribute to improving childbirth rates through immigration policies. Gradually, encouraging more skilled overseas professionals to reside in South Korea with their families requires comprehensive support policies such as adequate salaries, housing, and medical support, as well as offering long-term residence permits and citizenship.
ㅇMarcy Carlson (Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Sewell-Bascom Professor of Sociology of University of Wisconsin-Madison)
<“Effective Demographic Policies for Korea”>
The fertility rate needs to be approached from three perspectives: “preparation,” “willingness,” and “possibility.” “Preparation” involves considering the opportunity costs associated with raising a child. “Willingness” refers to the attitude that having children is advantageous. “Possibility” concerns whether there are means available to control pregnancy. According to a survey on attitudes towards the roles of children and families conducted from 2006 to 2016 in South Korea, Japan, mainland China, and Taiwan, South Koreans still generally view having children in marriage as necessary for both men and women. Moreover, in 2016, responses indicating a departure from traditional views, such as more people disagreeing that men’s careers should be prioritized over women’s in the household, were prominent. Few respondents supported traditional gender roles where men work outside and women manage household chores, indicating a growing acceptance of diverse roles in labor for both genders. In conclusion, South Korean society holds positive perceptions towards having children within marriage but has negative views towards unmarried childbirth. There is also a high value placed on having children. Additionally, the decreasing support for traditional gender roles in household labor suggests opportunities to increase the fertility rate. It is crucial for the government to support both genders equally in their roles as parents and professionals. Supporting programs for childcare, such as childcare leave, budget allocations for care, and policies promoting work-life balance, may be more effective than promotional campaigns or incentives for marriage and childbirth in increasing the fertility rate. South Korean society continues to value children and holds stable perceptions regarding gender roles. Therefore, the government should provide policy support that enables everyone to balance their careers and parental roles without discrimination based on gender.
DISCUSSION HIGHLIGHTS
<PERI, Policy Evaluation Research Institute>
