Why did South Korea develop lower birth rates and an aging population after rapid urbanization?

South Korea’s transition to lower birth rates and an aging population was driven by profound social and economic shifts following the Korean War. As the country transformed into an industrial powerhouse, rapid rural-to-urban migration dismantled the traditional extended-family system, leading to the adoption of nuclear family living arrangements in urban centers.12

Several key factors contributed to these demographic changes:

• Family Planning: Urban dwellers increasingly utilized family planning to have fewer children.12
• Economic Participation: Women’s active participation in the economy increased, supported by campaigns for legal equality and enhanced property rights.12
• Social Reforms: The implementation of a new family register system (hojeok) in 2008 improved women’s legal standing in areas such as divorce and child custody, further altering traditional family dynamics.12
• Increased Longevity: Advancements in society and healthcare led to the lengthening of life expectancies.12

By the early 21st century, these combined trends resulted in a declining birth rate and an aging population, raising government concerns regarding future economic growth and the stability of the social security system.12