There has been an interesting discussion in Czech conservative circles about the collapse of the birth rate in South Korea. It is interesting not because of the search for solutions (we can hardly understand, let alone correct, Korean issues), but because of the facts relevant to the European debate.
We hear again and again that the cause of the falling birth rate is either pampering (hedonism) or the supposed decline of religion. The Koreans are certainly not spoilt – their lives are determined by an absolutely frantic, even ruinous, work rate. As for religion, South Korea is the country with the highest percentage of active Christians in the world, and religiosity is on the rise. Yet the birth rate is falling dramatically faster than in Europe.
They have tried increasing support for young families, but it hasn’t worked.
So why is the willingness to have children disappearing? The real answer is that we don’t know. All we know is that they are disappearing in Europe, India, China, Korea, Latin America and even in parts of the Muslim world.