How South Korea’s birth rate dropped below Japan’s
I think all these studies skirt very gingerly around a big problem. Stressful work culture, lack of support for families (includes high real-estate costs, long commute times, lack of sick leave, etc.) and most importantly a path for women (and men - but its mostly women) who drop out of the workforce and want to get back in once the children are older and more independent.<p>Child rearing takes a group of people not just a nuclear family where both parents work long hours. Cost of living and work culture is forcing people to work long hours and women don&#x27;t find a good enough reason to give up their freedom, and keep in mind it&#x27;s what childbirth is in most Asian cultures, a woman giving up what she wants to do until the child is independent. I see no reason why women would ever want children. What&#x27;s society providing them that they need to make this sacrifice ?<p>All studies mention these, they just don&#x27;t provide any concrete solutions. It&#x27;s typically around creating some committee or forum that is looking to change this. Nothing will change, not until the corporations start running out of people to hire or the country runs out of soldiers for defense.