By Wonsuh Song
An interesting question comes to mind: for those who are not currently raising children, when was the last time they saw a place overflowing with them? These days, such a sight is increasingly rare. What we often see in the media is the reality of an aging society, where the shadow of demographic decline looms large, and the average age of TV personalities keeps rising. That is why encountering a scene full of children all at once feels almost unfamiliar—so refreshing and new.
The other day, I happened to pass by a small local festival and was struck by the sight of so many children gathered together. Since both of my kids became junior high school students, I haven’t had many chances to be in spaces filled with children. Suddenly finding myself surrounded by their energy and laughter was both refreshing and deeply moving. The presence of elderly volunteers helping out only added warmth to the scene, creating what felt like an ideal picture of community.
In fact, even in Tokyo, it has become difficult to see many children. In 2024, Tokyo’s total fertility rate was 0.96, the lowest in Japan. This was the second consecutive year it remained below 1.0, having dipped under that threshold for the first time in 2023. The number of births also hit a record low. Factors such as high rates of unmarried young women, the burden of childrearing, and the difficulty of balancing work and family life are often cited. In response, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has introduced measures such as subsidies for painless childbirth, free childcare, and the “018 Support” program, which provides 5,000 yen per month to every child from birth to age 18 living in Tokyo. Yet despite these policies, the fertility crisis remains unresolved.
Seoul’s situation is even more severe than Tokyo’s. According to Statistics Korea’s provisional data, the city’s total fertility rate in 2024 was 0.58, the lowest in the country. This marked a slight increase from 0.55 in 2023, but it still represents the lowest level in the world. High housing costs, unstable jobs, and the burden of childcare have discouraged young people from marrying and having children. Even for those who do, insufficient support for childrearing often makes parenthood daunting. Although the government and local authorities have introduced cash incentives and childcare support programs, the tangible impact has been limited, leaving the low fertility crisis as one of the most pressing challenges facing Korean society.
Modern society, with its nuclear families, soaring housing prices, and the heavy burdens of dual-income households and single-handed childcare, makes it difficult for generations to connect. Young people postpone marriage and childbearing, while the elderly often face isolation. In this environment, the presence of children dwindles, and society as a whole risks losing its vitality.
This is why a landscape with children can be seen as an indicator of a society’s health. When children can laugh and play freely in spaces where generations mingle naturally, society becomes more vibrant and compassionate. Ensuring affordable housing and stable work for the younger generation is fundamental to bringing back the lively sounds of children in our communities.
Seeing those children reminded me of what the most fundamental form of society we should strive for truly is. I felt it once again. A society where children abound is not only more beautiful but also more hopeful for the future.
Wonsuh Song (Ph.D.)
Full-time Lecturer, Shumei University / NKNGO Forum Representative
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