When a country declares a "population state emergency", we can't help but be shocked and confused. This is not a plot from a science fiction movie, but a reality that takes place in our neighboring country, South Korea. What was once a densely populated and economically prosperous country is now facing the serious challenge of a degraded population. Let's explore this thought-provoking topic.
South Korea's demographic crisis did not happen overnight. As early as 2006, British demographer David Coleman predicted that South Korea could become "the first country on earth to disappear naturally." At the time, this prediction was taken as a joke by many people. However, time has inexorably proved Coleman's vision.
Since then, South Korea's fertility rate has been like a declining stock, falling from a few points in 2006 to 0.7 in 2023. What does this number mean? It means that on average, a couple does not even have one child. The figures for the first quarter of 2024 are even more striking: only 60,000 newborns and more than 90,000 deaths in the same period. In just three months, South Korea's population has decreased by more than 30,000.
The effects of this shrinking population are all-encompassing. First and foremost is the education system. Many kindergartens and primary schools have been forced to close because there are not enough students. Imagine a school that has worked hard for a year to prepare an admissions plan, only to have no new students. It's not just a matter of numbers, it's about the livelihoods of countless educators.
What's even more embarrassing is that in some areas, newborns have become a rare species. There are reports that the South Korean prime minister personally attended the birthday party of a one-year-old child. Behind this seemingly ordinary act, there is a poignant fact: this child is the only newborn in the local area for three years. What an astonishing reality that only one child is born in three years in a region!
The declining population has also put enormous pressure on South Korea's defense system. For a long time, South Korea had a compulsory military service system, and all men of school age had to do it. However, with the sharp decline in the young population, it may be difficult for South Korea to maintain even basic military strength in the future. This will not only affect national defense security, but may also destabilize the entire social fabric.
In the face of such a dire situation, we can't help but ask: why is this happening? Is the economic pressure too great? Or have the values of young people changed? Or is this just an inevitable consequence of the development of modern society?
@山楂小丸子: Will South Korea's population decline so severely affect their economic development? I feel that the Korean Wave may be affected in the future.
This netizen's concern is very reasonable. Depopulation can indeed have a profound impact on economic development. First, labor shortages have a direct impact on productivity. Second, a shrinking consumer market will hit business confidence. In addition, the aging of the population will increase social welfare expenditures and increase the financial burden on the government. As for Hallyu, it may indeed be affected, but not necessarily all negatively. The scarcity of talent may drive the cultural industry to pay more attention to quality and innovation, which may in turn lead to better works.
@咖啡加冰: When I see the situation in South Korea, I can't even imagine what the future holds. I feel that it is really too difficult to have a child, and I have to work and take care of a baby, which is too stressful.
This netizen expressed the voices of many young people. In modern society, the balance between work and childcare is indeed a huge challenge. The high cost of childcare, fierce competition in the workplace, and the constraints of traditional ideas have all discouraged young people. But we must also recognize that this problem is not unsolvable. The government can reduce the burden on parents by improving childcare support policies and improving the working environment. At the same time, social attitudes need to keep pace with the times, and parents should not be put solely responsible for parenting.
@春天的树: The South Korean government should have realized this problem earlier, but it is too late to be anxious?
This netizen's point of view is very insightful. Indeed, the population problem is a long-term and systemic challenge that cannot be solved in the short term. Although the South Korean government has introduced a series of policies to encourage childbearing in recent years, the effect does not seem to be satisfactory. This reminds us that solving the population problem requires the joint efforts of the whole society, and that it is not enough to rely on the government alone. We need to fundamentally change people's perception of childbirth and family, and create a social environment conducive to childbirth and nurturing.
@小小兵007: I don't think this problem is only in South Korea, but also in many developed countries.
This netizen's observation is accurate. Low fertility is indeed a common challenge in many developed countries. Countries such as Japan, Germany, and Italy are all experiencing population aging and declining birth rates to varying degrees. This seems to be an inevitable trend after economic development reaches a certain stage. But each country's specific circumstances and response are different. We can learn from the experience of other countries, but we also need to tailor policies to our own national circumstances.
@彩虹糖果: When I saw this news, I suddenly felt that our country's population policy was still very far-sighted. I used to think it was troublesome, but now it seems that it is really necessary.
This netizen's comment allows us to see the differences in population policies in different countries. Indeed, each country has its own national circumstances and challenges. When evaluating a country's policies, we need to take into account many factors, such as historical background, cultural traditions, and the level of economic development. At the same time, we should also realize that the impact of the population policy is long-term and far-reaching, and it requires scientific decision-making and prudent implementation.
South Korea's demographic crisis is a wake-up call. It is not just a numbers game, but also about the future of a country and a nation. When we look at the deserted kindergartens on the streets of South Korea and hear the stories of schools that have been forced to close because there are no students, we can't help but ask: Is this our future?
The birth of every life is a miracle, and the happiness of every family is the cornerstone of social stability. In the face of the demographic challenge, we need not only the policy support of the government, but also the joint efforts of the whole society. We need to create a more inclusive and friendly social environment where everyone who wants to start a family can have peace of mind.
At the same time, we also need to reflect on whether we have neglected the sustainable development of the population while pursuing economic development. While emphasizing personal achievement, are we underestimating the value of family? While enjoying the conveniences of modern life, have we forgotten the meaning of childbearing and parenting?
South Korea's experience has taught us that the population problem cannot be solved overnight. It requires long-term planning and the participation of all sectors of society. Each of us should think: What can we do to create an environment that is suitable for childbearing and nurturing?
Together, let us build a future of hope, a society where every new life is fully cared for and supported. Because, every child's smiling face is the most beautiful appearance in the world.