The 37th Population Forum Held: Exploring the Root Causes of Persistent Low Fertility Rates

• ■KIHASA co-hosted the forum with the Population Research Cluster of Seoul National University's National Future Strategy Institute.

• ■The forum explored the fundamental causes of persistent low fertility and discussed various policy alternatives.

• ■The event included the following thematic presentations, followed by a general discussion with three experts: Demographic analysis of declining births and labor market factors; Socioeconomic inequality; Private education costs.

KIHASA, in collaboration with the Population Research Cluster of the National Future Strategy Institute of Seoul National University, held the 37th Population Forum on Wednesday, February 5, at 10:00 am at Room 107 of Wooseok Economics Hall, Seoul National University, under the theme "Exploring the Root Causes of Persistent Low Birth Rates."

Through a multifaceted approach and in-depth analysis, the forum explored solutions to the challenge of low fertility rates, a complex issue intertwined with various factors such as societal values, social institutions, and economic inequality. The forum began with an opening speech by KIHASA's Acting President, Kang Hye-kyu.

The opening speech was followed by three thematic presentations over the course of an hour:
- The first presentation was made by Professor Lee Chul-hee of Seoul National University on "Demographic Decomposition of Declining Births and Labor Market Factors."
- The second was by Associate Research Fellow Jang In-soo of KIHASA on "The Relationship between Socioeconomic Inequality and Childbirth Transition: Policy Implications."
- The third was by Professor Kim Tae-hoon of Kyung Hee University on "The Impact of Rising Private Education Costs on Birth Rates."

After a 10-minute break, a general discussion began at 11:20 am and ended at 12:10 pm. The discussion was moderated by Lee So-young, Director of Population Policy Planning at KIHASA, and featured expert pandelists: Professor Kye Bong-oh of Kookmin University; Professor Kim Sung-eun of Sejong University; and Associate Research Fellow Kim Eun-jung of KIHASA.

In the opening speech, Acting President Kang Hye-kyu of KIHASA stated: "The persistence of low birth rates is a critical issue requiring profound structural and systemic changes in our society. Declining birth rates are leading to drastic demographic shifts, causing economic stagnation, labor shortages, intergenrational conflicts, and significant challenges to the sustainability of welfare systems. Through this Population Forum, I hope that we can examine the issue from multiple perspectives and present realistic policy implications."