Why Growing Acceptance of Childbirth Outside of Marriage Matters for South Korea

A recent study in South Korea reveals changing attitudes towards childbirth out of wedlock, with increasing approval rates among men and women in their 20s and 30s between 2008 and 2024. The government, aiming to raise the country’s low fertility rate, welcomes this shift as South Korea grapples with becoming a “super-aged” society. Efforts to boost births have included various incentives and policies, yet experts suggest broader societal changes may be needed to address the low-fertility trap. While traditional norms still influence perceptions, evolving attitudes, welfare policies, and greater visibility of non-traditional families are contributing to a shift in mindset.