Policy for Aging Society and Encouragement of Birth in Developed Countries

  • 2009-10-01
  • 299

Korea's total fertility rate is the lowest within the OECD countries and the future aging rate is expected to be faster as well. Therefore, active and aggressive policy needs to be held to respond to the deepening problems of low birthrate and aging society.

According to UN(2009), Median age of South Korea in 2050 would be 53.7 which is higher than the world average of 38.4 and this figure will be ranked as the second highest in the world.

In order to encourage birth rate, 'Work-Life Balance' policy needs to be strengthened and lead to comprehensive responses in terms of both social and economic aspects. Also, promoting gender-equality policies should be continued in the long-run.

Child allowance, child-care leave system, child-care support and proper combination of various policy measures need to be undertaken

In response to deterioration of the economic vitality caused by aging, while the elderly's retirement income is expanded, it is timely manner to take policy for improving economic participation of the aging population.

For stable progress of aging of elderly as both individuals and society as whole, improving health care services and financial stability of pension system should be conducted

The low birthrate and aging population requires a national response and the resulting financial burden is expected to show in large-scale. So in policy-making process, the role of the National Assembly is important to elicit the consensus of the society such as active participation.