Support for Non-Marital Childbirth Rising Among Young Koreans, Especially Women

Public acceptance of non-marital childbirth is steadily rising among young South Koreans, with women in their 20s and 30s showing the sharpest increases in approval, according to a new study commissioned by the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy.

The research, conducted by the Korean Women’s Development Institute, analyzed data from Statistics Korea and revealed a consistent upward trend in support for childbirth outside of marriage over the past decade and a half.

Among 20-somethings, male support for non-marital childbirth rose from 32.4% in 2008 to 43.1% in 2024, while support among women surged from 28.4% to 42.4%, marking a 14-percentage-point increase for women—larger than the 10.7-point rise among men.

In the 30s age group, men’s support grew from 28.7% to 43.3%, and women’s from 23.9% to 40.7%, with women again showing a slightly steeper increase.

The study also found that approval of cohabitation without marriage is now widespread. Among 20-somethings, male support rose from 67.2% to 81.1%, while female support jumped more dramatically from 55.6% to 81.0%. A similar pattern was observed in the 30-something group.

Despite the growing acceptance, South Korea’s non-marital birth rate remains low—at just 4.7% in 2024, up from 3.9% the previous year. This is far below the OECD average of 41.0%, but officials say changing perceptions may open doors for policy innovation.

First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare Lee Ki-il suggested that non-marital childbirth could be a viable strategy to address Korea’s record-low birthrate, which stood at 0.75 births per woman in 2024.

“There is a growing sense among women that avoiding the traditional burdens of marriage and in-laws may offer greater autonomy,” Lee said. “We should focus on increasing births, regardless of the format, and consider expanding support mechanisms—such as inheritance rights and tax benefits—for non-marital families.”

The government is currently exploring legal and policy reforms that would recognize and support diverse family structures in its broader efforts to combat population decline

Source : http://koreabizwire.com/support-for-non-marital-childbirth-rising-among-young-koreans-especially-women/318253

Comprehension

Who commissioned the study on public acceptance of non-marital childbirth?
Which organization conducted the research?
By how many percentage points did support for non-marital childbirth increase among women in their 20s from 2008 to 2024?
What was the support rate for non-marital childbirth among men in their 30s in 2024?
What change was seen in women’s support for cohabitation in their 20s?
What is South Korea’s non-marital birth rate as of 2024?
How does this rate compare to the OECD average?
What is South Korea’s total fertility rate (births per woman) in 2024?
According to First Vice Minister Lee Ki-il, why might women be more open to non-marital childbirth?
What types of reforms is the South Korean government currently considering?

Discussion

Why do you think more young South Koreans are starting to support non-marital childbirth?
What are some possible cultural or social reasons for South Korea’s traditionally low rate of births outside of marriage?
Do you think changing attitudes can significantly affect birth rates? Why or why not?
Should governments support all family types equally, regardless of marital status? Why or why not?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of non-marital childbirth, from a societal point of view?
How might older generations respond to these changes in perception? Should their opinions influence policy?
What are some challenges non-marital families might face in a traditional society?
How might increased support for non-traditional families affect future family laws and tax systems?
Do you think financial or legal support would encourage more people to consider having children outside of marriage?
Can you think of other countries that have experienced similar cultural shifts? What was the impact?

Vocabulary

Non-marital childbirth – Having a baby without being legally married.
Cohabitation – Living together as a couple without being married.
Approval/Support – Agreement or acceptance of an idea or practice.
Trend – A general direction in which something is developing or changing.
Autonomy – Independence or freedom to make one’s own decisions.
Policy innovation – Creating new government rules or approaches to solve problems.
Inheritance rights – Legal rights to receive assets from a deceased family member.
Tax benefits – Reductions in taxes given to individuals or groups, often for specific reasons.
Population decline – A decrease in the number of people living in a country or region.
Fertility rate – The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime.