• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.141-151
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to test the economic rationality hypothesis of the low fertility trap among 412 college students at 13 private universities located in Seoul. The respondents were requested to complete the self-administered questionnaire, and the hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed for analyzing the data. The major findings of this study were as follows: First, the students' views on the prospects for their future employability were 54.6% for big business, 64.51% for medium-sized business, and 49.63% for public sector. In the most employable job, the mean desired monthly salary was 3,505,400 won, while the mean expected monthly salary 2,753,600 won. Second, hierarchical regression analyses revealed that the family income in parental home was positively related to youths' consumption aspirations. Finally, the gap between youths' consumption aspirations and their expected income was negatively related to their desired number of children, while not significantly related to their planned age of first child birth. Thus, the low fertility trap hypothesis was supported in terms of birth rate drop, but not supported in terms of childbearing postponement. The implications of the study results are discussed.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.162-173
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• 2014

Among OECD countries, Korea is the only country which has continuously recorded total birthrate below 1.3 person for over 10 years. Since 2006, the Korean government has promoted the population policy in full scale. But, the fertility rate which became low has not shown any sign to go up again. Thus, Korea can be understood as having fallen into 'low fertility trap'. Such a low fertility can cause serious problems such as weakening of national competitive power and even survival of the country. In Korea, due to studies and finding jobs among young women, their childbirths are kept being postponed. In some cases, poor working conditions where women work can cause physical conditions not appropriate for pregnancy. Thus, it is very important to let childbearing women, pregnant women take care of their health. Accordingly, conscious of this low fertility era, this study examined major international organizations and countries' health promoting strategies-with focus on motherhood and suggested some methods to effectively improve health for motherhood.

• The Korean Journal of Applied Statistics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.677-692
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• 2018

The total fertility rate of Korea was 1.05 in 2017, showing a return to the 1.08 level in the year 2005. 1.05 is a very low fertility level that is far from replacement level fertility or safety zone 1.5. The number may indicate a low fertility trap. It is therefore important to predict fertility than at any other time. In the meantime, we have predicted the age-specific fertility rate and total fertility rate by various statistical methods. When the data trend is disconnected or fluctuating, it applied a nonparametric method applying the smoothness and weight. In addition, the Bayesian method of using the pre-distribution of fertility rates in advanced countries with reference to the three-stage transition phenomenon have been applied. This paper examines which method is reasonable in terms of precision and feasibility by applying estimation, forecasting, and comparing the results of the recent variability of the Korean fertility rate with parametric, non-parametric and Bayesian methods. The results of the analysis showed that the total fertility rate was in the order of KOSTAT's total fertility rate, Bayesian, parametric and non-parametric method outcomes. Given the level of TFR 1.05 in 2017, the predicted total fertility rate derived from the parametric and nonparametric models is most reasonable. In addition, if a fertility rate data is highly complete and a quality is good, the parametric model approach is superior to other methods in terms of parameter estimation, calculation efficiency and goodness-of-fit.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.32-49
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• 1988

The social conditions in Koreas until 1950s were similar to the model phenomena of low level eqilibrium trap which was named by Prof. Nelson, with the continuation of high population growth rate and low economic growth rate. To escape from the trap, Korean government adopted two different policies, one is economic development plans and the other is family planning programs. Theses policies were successful in both increasing the national products and decreasing the population growth rate. In 1985 per capita GNP increased to over two thousand dollars, fertility rate reduced to replacement level(2.1) and unemployment rate was stabilized at 4 percent level. From various prospects, we were successfully escaped from the Malthusian trap and many economists, who studied developed countries, belive that population growth has positive effects on technological progress, economies of scale, specialization, individual attitude on work, and economic growth. Therefore we need to reexamine the anti-natalistic population policy of Korea in this situation.

• Korea journal of population studies
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.141-159
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• 2009

우리나라는 2002년 초저출산 사회(합계출산율 1.3명 이하)로 진입한 후 합계출산율이 평균 1.2 이하인 상황이 지속되고 있다. 이러한 초저출산 상황이 향후 지속된다면 인구고령화의 사회 경제적 여파가 예상보다 클 것으로 전망된다. 과연 이런 초저출산 추세가 일시적인 것인지 아니면 앞으로 계속 지속될 것인지에 대한 검토가 필요하다. 이에 본 연구는 최근 저출산함정 가설(low fertility trap hypothesis)을 제기한 Lutz, Skirbekk and Testa(2006)의 논의를 소개한다. 그들은 크게 인구학적, 사회적, 그리고 경제적 요인과 같이 3가지 요인으로 구분하여 저출산함정의 존재 가능성을 논하고 있다. 그렇다면 과연 우리나라는 저출산함정에 빠져 있는가? 먼저 고령화 가설의 경우 출생아수와 고령화간 부(-)의 관계가 나타나고 있으며, 최근 이상자녀수가 2.2~2.3명이지만, 실제자녀수는 그 수준을 하회하고 있어 이상자녀수가설도 지지된다. 상대소득가설의 경우, 류덕현(2007)의 연구결과에 따르면 연령 계층 간 상대소득이 출산율에 정(+)의 효과를 보여 상대소득가설이 지지되는 것으로 나타났다. 물론 제한된 영역에서 완벽한 검증이 이루어진 것은 아니지만, 적어도 출산율이 대체수준까지 회복되기에는 어려운 상황이라는 점을 발견할 수 있었으며, 이는 우리나라의 저출산 문제가 얼마나 심각한 수준인지를 재확인시켜준다.