Ideal of Two Children Fades in South Korea Amidst High Costs

While a majority of South Korean adults aspire to have multiple children, the reality of prohibitive childcare and education costs is leading them to settle for fewer. A recent survey revealed that 71.2% of adults aged 20-49 believe having children is ideal, with nearly 59% idealizing a family size of two children. This sentiment suggests a strong underlying desire for larger families.

Despite this ideal, the practical considerations of raising children significantly temper aspirations. When asked about the number of children they actually plan to have or have already had, the most common response was one child (44.9%), followed by two children (27.1%). A substantial 25.3% indicated they plan to have no children.

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The biggest reason for having fewer children than ideally thought is the burden of childcare and education costs.

The primary driver behind this discrepancy is the overwhelming financial burden. Respondents cited "childcare and education costs" as the sole reason for having fewer children than ideally desired. This economic pressure is compounded by other significant factors, including the difficulty of balancing work and parenting (40.4%) and concerns about housing costs and living environments (36.6%).

Economic stability emerged as the most crucial factor influencing the decision to have children, regardless of birth order. Government and local authority support policies also play a role, with their importance increasing for subsequent children. Researchers noted that while economic factors remain dominant, the influence of policy support, childcare burdens, and career interruptions is growing, indicating a complex interplay of issues shaping reproductive decisions in South Korea.

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Economic stability is the biggest factor influencing the decision to have children.