Behind the rebound in the birth rate, the chance to become a parent was not equal

Korea's total fertility rate edged up slightly into the 0.8 range, but analysts said it is difficult to view this change as a structural shift in low birthrates. This is because the increase in births was concentrated among married people in their 30s and relatively higherincome groups. According to the article, last year's number of births rose by the largest margin in 15 years, but the increase was driven by women in their 30s with spouses and households in the top income brackets. On the other hand, no clear recovery was seen among people in their 20s and lowerincome groups, and gaps in marriage rates are also translating into differences in childbirth opportunities. Experts pointed out that there are limits if policy support is concentrated only on the period immediately before and after childbirth. They explained that the foundation for young people to enter marriage and childbirth stages should be broadened by improving support for marriage, housing, jobs, and education conditions together.