Shifting Dynamics Influencing Childbirth Intentions Among Young Adults in Seoul, South Korea: An Exploratory Research on Childbirth Intentions

Background and Purpose: South Korea has experienced a sharp and sustained decline in its fertility rate, leading to significant socio-economic challenges. Given the profound impact of low birth rates, understanding the factors influencing childbirth intentions is essential. As Seoul plays a central role in the nation's economy, addressing childbirth intentions among its residents is particularly important. This study aims to explore the factors associated with childbirth intentions and examine gender differences among young adults living in Seoul.

Methods: We used the 2022 Seoul Young Adult Panel Study (SYPS); a sample aged between 28 and 34 was analyzed (n = 2,055). Key variables included childbirth intentions (DV), individual characteristics, psychosocial perceptions, and marriage intentions. We conducted descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses. The average age was 30.87 (SD = 2.14), and females were more educated than males (t = -2.95, p = 0.002). The unemployment rate was higher among males (25.8%) than females (21.1%).

Results: The findings reveal a strong relationship between marital and childbirth intentions for both men (B = 6.46, p <.001) and women (B = 5.56, p <.001), with marriage remaining a key precondition for childbirth in South Korea. Notably, even individuals who were "unsure" about marriage expressed significantly higher childbirth intentions compared to those with no intentions of marrying. For men, asset levels were a significant predictor of childbirth intentions (B = 0.81, p <.05), while higher education (B = 0.25, p <.05) and concerns related to fairness (B = 0.35, p <.001) and societal outlook (B = 0.23, p <.01) played a central role for women. Traditional economic variables such as income and job stability were not significant, meaning a shift in societal norms around childbearing.

Implication: Considering these findings, fostering a marriage-friendly environment that pays attention to young adults' broader societal issues is critical. It is essential for enhancing childbirth intentions and addressing the demographic challenges in Seoul, providing a directive for future fertility policies to adapt to changing societal values and expectations. This phenomenon is not isolated to Seoul; the findings are equally relevant to the countries experiencing similar population crises.