Population Crisis: A Look at Some Countries' Policies to Combat Falling Birth Rates

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Head of the National Population and Family Planning Board(BKKBN), Hasto Wardoyo, said the government continues to strive for balanced population growth, as Indonesia was said to face a decline in birthrate.

The birth rate or Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is one indicator that influences population size. If the birth rate in a country continues to decline, especially if it is lower than the death rate, a country has the potential to experience a population decline.

Population shortage is considered dangerous for a country, as it will weaken the state. Some countries have experienced low birth rates and have taken various anticipatory steps. What are their policies? 

1. South Korea

Citing Antara, South Korea continues to grapple with a dramatically low birth rate. In February 2024, there were only 19,362 babies born in South Korea, the lowest in February since the statistics agency began collecting info in 1981.

The Korean Peninsula Population Institute for Future predicted the country's total population will decline from 51.71 million in 2023 to 39.69 million by 2065.

Because of this, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said that he would form a new ministry to address the low birth rate in his country.

"In order to overcome the low birth rate, which can be considered a national emergency, we will fully mobilize all of the state's capabilities," he said in a speech on the second anniversary of his presidency on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

The head of the new ministry, which is temporarily known as the Ministry of Low Birth Rate Counter-Planning, will double as Deputy Minister for Social Affairs and formulate policies in the education, employment and welfare sectors that will be on the national agenda, he said.

2. Japan

Japan has faced a population growth crisis for a long time. Many adults are reluctant to have children, causing the birthrate to be significantly proportional to the mortality rate.

Quoting the channelnewsasia.com, on Monday, January 23, 2023, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed to take urgent steps to overcome the country's declining birth rate. In recent years, Japan has tried to push its people to have more children with promises of cash bonuses and better benefits.

Additionally, Kishida said he would put forward a plan to double the budget for child-related policies in June, and that the new Children and Families Agency would oversee the issue.

3. Singapore

Quoting the International Monetary Fund, the Singaporean government has been grappling with a relentless downward trend in fertility since the 1980s. After public campaigns and limited programs failed to produce results, the government created a pronatalist incentive package introduced in 2001 and enhanced over the years.

The government gives benefits to citizens who want to have children. Currently, the package includes paid maternity leave, childcare subsidies, tax breaks and rebates, one-time cash gifts, and grants for companies implementing flexible work arrangements.

YOLANDA AGNE | DANAR TRIVASYA FIKRI

Editor’s Choice: Looming Population Crisis: 10 Countries with Lowest Birth Rates, Singapore Included  

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

2024 Inpex Scholarship Opens, You Can Now Study Masters in Japan

1 hari lalu

Indonesia, Japan to Sign IJEPA Amendment Protocol in September

1 hari lalu

4 Western Countries are Main Suppliers of Israel's Arms: Here's the Detail

2 hari lalu

11 Most Tourist-Friendly Countries in the World, Including Canada

2 hari lalu

Singapore Introduces 7 New Travel Experiences

2 hari lalu

Korean Air Adjusts In-flight Meal Service Amid Rising Turbulence Incidents

2 hari lalu

8 Countries That Ban Government Employees from Using TikTok Over Security Concerns

3 hari lalu

7 Tips for a Speedy Airport Security Check

3 hari lalu

Commemorating Racial and Religious Harmony Month, Harmony Fest! 2024 is Back in Singapore

3 hari lalu

Indonesia Targets Production of 600,000 EV Units by 2030

4 hari lalu