South Korea has the lowest birth rate in the world but birth clinics bloom

When she began fertilization in the test test (IVF) last November, Kim -e knew that it would be a grueling test of patience – what she had already experienced when she conceived her first child three years ago.

But the fact that she was shocked this time was “insane” expectations at the Birth Clinic.

“When I went in January, it seemed to me that everyone had made a New Year’s decision to have a baby! Even when booking, I waited for more than three hours,” says a 36-year-old resident Seoul.

While South Korea continues to fight the lowest in the world of birth clinics, the birth rate clinic is a growing demand – a bright place in the country’s demographic crisis.

Between 2018 and 2022, the number of fertility procedures performed in the country increased by almost 50% to 200,000. Last year, every six babies in Seoul were born with the help of fertility treatment.

According to experts, the basis of the boom is a shift in relation to family planning.

“We have a younger generation … which is used to controlling your life,” says Sarah Harper CBE, Professor at Geontology at the University of Oxford. This control, she adds, can come as single women who freeze eggs or couples trying IVF when they can’t think.

“While in the previous generations there was more recognition that you conceived or not, maybe a little random, now we have Korean women who say,” I want to plan your life. “

This is the good news for the South Korea government trying to deprive the country from the demographic crisis. One in five people in South Korea are now 65 years of age and above. As a share of the whole population of the country, there were no less children.

The country has repeatedly beat its own record for the lowest birth rate in the world: 0.98 babies per woman in 2018, 0.84 in 2020 and 0.72 in 2023. If this trend continues, experts warn that the population of 50 million could fall in 60 years.

But recently there is a reason for cautious optimism: instead of another record low level, South Korea’s fertility in 2024 increased slightly to 0.75 – its first increase in nine years.

“This is a small blow, but still significant,” says Selk Choi, Professor of the Korean State Policy and Management School.

It is too early to tell you whether it is the start of a necessary reversal or just a breakthrough. The country’s fertility remains much lower than the average 2.2. But many, like Dr. Choi, carefully optimistic.

“If this trend contains, it can signal a long-term change,” says Dr. Cho. “We must watch the attitude of the youth to marriage and the paternity changes.”

For many years of birth, the children were the last in the head of the Su-In park. Mostly she was busy at work, often only at 04:00, which went from advertising work.

“I was in a company with endless overtime, so I couldn’t even really consider,” says a 35-year-old guy.

Things began to change after she married two years ago. She landed a new job with the best hours – and her friends around her began to give birth.

“Seeing and interaction with her children made you feel less preferred,” she said. “And the observation of how my husband shows the initiative by conducting pregnancy and childbirth research and showing real efforts, giving me the confidence we can do it.”

When Ms Park and her husband had problems conception, they turned to the treatment of fertility. Many do the same thing by fueled by the forecasts that the industry is developing by 2030.

“This is actually an important signal for politicians that there are some other women who want to create families but face … barriers for this,” says Jennifer Scoobba, President and CEO of the Non-Profit Bureau in Washington, Colombia District.

“Most of all, this is a sign that people cannot fulfill their wishes to have children.”

The difficulty of conception is just one barrier. At the heart of South Korea’s population is a raft of social and financial pressure – from patriarchal standards that carry most of the childcare responsibilities for women Long working time and High education costs that prevent many young people from having children.

For some, however, these dreams just dragged on. More than half of the South Koreans say they want children but cannot afford, the UN said. And as long as South Korean women have the first child, their average age is 33.6 – among the highest in the world.

“Looking back, it may be better to start earlier,” says Ms. Park. “But realistically … Now it really feels like the right time. At the end of the 20s, I just didn’t have financial opportunities to think about marriage or children.”

The same goes for Ms. Kim, who spent three years, saving for marriage and four more for the child.

“People spend their youth to study, hunting and spend money to prepare for life. And as long as they are ready to calm down, they are often late,” she says. “But the later you expect, the harder it will become (to become pregnant), physically and emotionally. “

For those who choose IVF, the conception process is also much more expensive.

“It’s hard to say exactly how much the IVF costs because it varies so heavily depending on the person and the cycle,” says Ms. Kim. “This is a huge and unpredictable price that can really affect your finance.”

As part of the agreed efforts to increase fertility, the South Korean government has expanded support for fertility treatment. Currently, Seoul subsidizes up to $ 2 million ($ 1460; 1100 pounds) to secure eggs and 1.1 million won for each IVF treatment.

But even with state subsidies, Ms. Kim says she spent more 2 million won in January for eco-mainly on pockets that subsidies do not cover, such as supplements and additional tests.

And with less than half Eco cycles that end with success, The costs can quickly make up.

It happened for Jan Say-Rion in Jelo’s southwestern province. The 37-year-old guy started treatment for the fertility two years ago and made five IVF cycles, each cost to her about 1.5 million won.

“I want everything to succeed after one attempts, but for most people it is not,” she says. “Without money you just can’t move forward. It’s a reality. And I think it’s the most unpleasant part.”

Equally complicated, women say – it is the pressure on the workplace they face when they make a demanding IVF schedule.

While South Korean companies offer a few days of rest for the treatment of fertility, women say they are difficult to use in reality. Ms. Kim says she moved the IVF for her first child without accepting the leave. Meanwhile, Mrs. Jang says her colleagues asked her to postpone treatment.

“It made me feel like eco and staff work, just don’t mix,” says Ms. Jang. “So, I threw it. But as soon as I left, I fought financially. It led to another leaving and hunting cycle.”

Such financial and cultural pressure may have reduced the South Korean dreams of children, but not at Mrs. Gian. It still becomes tearful when it remembers two pregnancies from the beginning of marriage – both ended with miscarriages.

“Do you know how they say when you have a child you feel love that is endless?” she says. “I think to have a child reminiscent of both of us, and the creation of the family together is one of the greatest forms of happiness that a person can feel.”