THE LONG GAME
Experts are careful not to over-interpret South Korea’s improvement. The TFR remains extremely low, and whether the increase will continue is uncertain.
IPS senior research fellow Tan Poh Lin said the rebound nevertheless signals that sustained messaging may be having some effect.
“The relentless, consistent public messaging backed by a blitz of incentive announcements from different sectors of society may have been especially cheering and emboldening for parents, and given them more negotiating power in workplaces,” she said.
Dr Kalpana agreed that changing mindsets requires patience and persistence. For one, the desire to start a family should be nurtured early, even in schools.
