North Korean leader calls for women to have more children to halt a fall in birthrate

North Korean leader calls for women to have more children to halt a fall in birthrate

In an effort to reverse the country’s declining birthrate, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called on women to have more children in order to strengthen national power. While obtaining accurate population data from North Korea is challenging, the South Korean government believes that the fertility rate in the country has been steadily declining for the past decade. This is a worrying trend for a country that heavily relies on mobilized labor to sustain its struggling economy. Kim made his appeal during the National Mothers Meeting, the first of its kind in over a decade, emphasizing the importance of stopping the decline in birthrates and improving child care and education. South Korea’s fertility rate, the lowest among developed nations, has been attributed to various factors such as a declining job market, competitive school environment, weak child care support, and a corporate culture that hinders work-family balance. Some speculate that a similar combination of factors may be influencing family planning decisions in North Korea. The country’s demographic changes, resembling those in wealthier countries, highlight the need for efforts to encourage population growth.

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Background

The declining birthrate in North Korea is becoming a concerning issue for the country’s economy. While it is difficult to accurately measure the population trends in North Korea due to limited statistics, South Korea’s government assesses that the fertility rate in the country has been steadily declining over the past decade. This is a significant problem for a nation that relies on mobilized labor to sustain its heavily sanctioned and broken economy.

Kim Jong Un’s Appeal

In response to the declining birthrate, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has recently called for women to have more children. He emphasized that it is the duty of women to halt the fall in the country’s births in order to strengthen national power. Kim made these remarks at the National Mothers Meeting, which was the first of its kind in 11 years. In his opening speech, he acknowledged the importance of stopping the decline in birthrates and providing good child care and education, highlighting the role that mothers play in these issues.

Fertility Rate in North Korea

According to South Korea’s government statistics agency, the total fertility rate in North Korea was 1.79 in 2022, down from 1.88 in 2014. While this decline is slower compared to its wealthier rival, South Korea, it is still a cause for concern. South Korea’s fertility rate, which is the lowest in the developed world, has been decreasing due to various factors such as a decaying job market, a highly competitive school environment, limited child care assistance, and a male-centered corporate culture. The decline in North Korea’s fertility rate can be attributed to similar reasons, including financial considerations and the influence of South Korean media.

Reasons for Low Birthrate

One of the primary reasons for the low birthrate in North Korea is the financial burden faced by families. Raising children requires a significant amount of money, including expenses for education, healthcare, and basic necessities. Many families in North Korea do not intend to have more than one child as they are aware of the financial challenges associated with raising children.

Additionally, the influence of South Korean media on North Korean society has played a role in the declining birthrate. The smuggling of a large amount of South Korean TV dramas and movies into North Korea has exposed people to a different social status for women, which may have influenced women to prioritize their careers over having children.

Another factor that contributed to the decline in birthrates in North Korea is the historical background of birth control programs. In the 1970s and 1980s, North Korea implemented various birth control programs to control population growth. Additionally, a famine in the mid-1990s resulted in a major decline in the fertility rate as it led to the death of hundreds of thousands of people.

Potential Economic Impact

The declining birthrate in North Korea poses potential challenges for the country’s manufacturing industry. If sufficient labor forces are not provided, North Korea could struggle to revive and develop its manufacturing industry due to a lack of resources and technological advancements. The country heavily relies on its manufacturing sector for economic growth and exports, making labor shortages a significant concern.

Furthermore, the declining birthrate could lead to resource shortages and increased competition for available labor. This could further impact the country’s economy and hinder its ability to sustain development and growth.

Government Incentives

To address the declining birthrate, the North Korean government has introduced a set of benefits for families with three or more children. These benefits include preferential free housing arrangements, state subsidies, free food, medicine, household goods, and educational perks for children. These incentives aim to encourage families to have more children and alleviate the financial burden associated with raising them.

Population Projections

South Korea’s statistics agency estimates North Korea’s current population at 25.7 million. However, the Hyundai Research Institute predicts that North Korea will experience a population shrinkage from 2034 onwards. The institute forecasts that the population will decrease to 23.7 million by 2070, highlighting the seriousness of the declining birthrate issue.

Impact of Kim Jong Un’s Daughter

Speculations have arisen regarding the purpose of Kim Jong Un’s daughter, Ju Ae, making public appearances alongside him. Some experts believe that her appearances serve as an effort to encourage families to have more children. It is possible that showcasing the leader’s own family life can help portray a positive image of parenthood and family values, thereby influencing the population’s mindset towards childbearing.

However, others argue that her appearances are more likely aimed at establishing her as Kim Jong Un’s heir and securing her position in the country’s political future. The true purpose behind her public appearances remains speculative.

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International Perspective

The declining birthrate in North Korea is not an isolated issue but has implications for regional dynamics and international comparisons. When compared to other countries’ birthrates, North Korea’s declining rate highlights the unique socio-economic and cultural challenges faced by the nation. It also has implications for the regional balance of power and the stability of the Korean Peninsula.

Conclusion

The declining birthrate in North Korea is a concerning issue that threatens the country’s economy and labor force. Kim Jong Un’s call for women to have more children emphasizes the importance of addressing this problem. Financial considerations, the influence of South Korean media, and the historical background of birth control programs have all played a role in the declining birthrate. The potential economic impact includes challenges for the manufacturing industry and resource shortages. In response, the North Korean government has introduced incentives to encourage families to have more children. However, population projections indicate a continuing decline in the future. The impact of Kim Jong Un’s daughter’s appearances and the international perspective on North Korea’s birthrate further add complexity and interest to the issue. Overall, addressing the declining birthrate is crucial for the future development and stability of North Korea.

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