Kim Jong-un, the Supreme Leader of North Korea, displayed empathy during a gathering of mothers, expressing his concerns over the nation's declining birth rate. Hundreds of women, all recognized as mothers, shared in his sentiments, with tears flowing freely.
Kim expressed his concern for averting population decay and amplifying quality childcare, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with mothers. Although he didn't disclose precise figures, international forecasts suggest a 1.8 fertility rate for North Korea in 2023, assuming a population of approximately 26 million. This figure hints at an ongoing battle for population growth within the secluded country.
In advanced nations, approximately 2.1 children per woman should be born to halt population contraction, theoretically speaking. Germany has dipped below this threshold since 1970, and in 2022, it reached an all-time low of 1.46. Given North Korea's ongoing struggle with chronic food shortages due to the regime's rigid policies, its population has suffered. The most recent national mothers' meeting took place in 2012.
Kim's concern underlines an evolving realization of the necessity to tackle North Korea's low birth rate. However, the specific policies and tactics remain unclear.Historically, economic sanctions, constrained access to education and healthcare, and stringent social controls would likely merit consideration.
Given the dearth of details about North Korea's strategies to tackle low birth rates, it's reasonable to infer that any policies would prioritize boosting economic stability, lessening income disparities, and improving social welfare, although these are conjectural and not explicitly stated in the sources.
Economic challenges such as high inflation, currency devaluation, and reliance on Chinese imports place a strain on the exchange rate and state finances. Additionally, North Korea's rigid social structure and limited personal freedoms may influence family planning decisions. The lack of information about the extent of international economic pressures and the regime's internal policies makes it challenging to identify measures to raise birth rates.
){kind=link}