Seoul: South Korea’s presidential committee on population policy has announced a groundbreaking initiative aimed at encouraging more fathers to take parental leave, with a target set for 70 percent participation by 2030. This move is part of a broader strategy to address the country’s demographic challenges, including its low birth rate.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the current participation rate for fathers in parental leave was only 6.8 percent in 2022, while the rate for mothers was significantly higher at 70 percent. The figures represent the percentage of eligible workers with children aged eight or younger who utilized parental leave. The new policy comes as a response to anticipated changes in parental leave regulations set to take effect next year.

Currently, both parents can take up to one year of parental leave, which can be split into three separate periods. Starting in February, if both parents take at least three months off, their leave entitlement can be extended to 18 months, divided into
four periods. Additionally, the compensation cap for parents during the initial three months of leave will be increased to 2.5 million won (approximately US$1,782) per month, up from the current 1.5 million won. This amount will gradually reduce to 2 million won for the next three months and further to 1.6 million won for the subsequent six months, depending on the ordinary wages of the workers.

The government is also targeting a reduction in the number of women facing career interruptions due to childbirth, aiming to decrease the current rate of 22.3 percent to 10 percent by 2030. This initiative is part of a series of measures designed to tackle South Korea’s ongoing demographic issues, including the world’s lowest birth rate.

The committee reported that actions have already been taken on 143 out of 151 tasks related to these demographic challenges as of November. South Korea’s total fertility rate was recorded at 0.76 in the third quarter, significantly lower than the 2.1 births per woman required to mai
ntain a stable population without immigration. The government aims to increase this rate to 1 by 2030.

“We have prepared various policies, including offering short-term parental leave, raising the ceiling on monthly subsidies, and allowing men to take leave when their spouses are pregnant,” a committee official stated. In addition, the government plans to support fertility tests for 210,000 individuals by 2027, an increase from 80,000 in 2022.

In efforts to support premature babies, the committee also announced plans to establish two new emergency centers for critically ill mothers and newborns next year. Approximately 28,000 babies were born prematurely in 2023, representing over 10 percent of all newborns. The country will also introduce a 24-hour transport support system to ensure timely medical care for mothers and babies in critical conditions.