Top Buzzes

Korean women’s willingness to give birth is the lowest compared to major UN countries, the survey showed.

It’s no secret that birth rates are dropping worldwide. But South Korea is breaking records—just not the kind anyone wants. A recent survey found that Korean women have the lowest willingness to give birth compared to other major UN countries. Zero points for guessing why: it’s expensive, exhausting, and often feels impossible to “have it all.”

The Numbers Don’t Lie

South Korea’s fertility rate has been in freefall for years, now sitting at a shocking 0.72 births per woman—far below the 2.1 needed to sustain a population. But this isn’t just about statistics. It’s about real women weighing their options and realizing motherhood might cost them more than they’re willing to give.

The Why Behind the “No”

Let’s break it down:
– Work vs. Family: South Korea’s work culture is brutal. Long hours, little flexibility, and a stigma against mothers in the workforce make balancing career and kids feel like a losing battle.
– Sky-High Costs: Raising a child in Seoul is like financing a small luxury car—every year. Housing, education, and childcare expenses are staggering.
– Gender Inequality: Women still shoulder most childcare and household duties, even if they’re working full-time. It’s burnout on steroids.

The Bigger Picture

This isn’t just Korea’s problem. Japan, Italy, and Spain are facing similar crises. But Korea’s extreme drop hints at deeper societal cracks—a generation choosing self-preservation over traditional expectations.

So, What Now?

Some solutions are floating around: better parental leave, affordable childcare, and cultural shifts toward gender equality. But until then, the message is clear: if you want women to have kids, make it feasible. Otherwise, expect empty cribs—and a demographic time bomb.

What do you think? Is this a global wake-up call, or just the new normal?