A recent Pew Research Center survey revealed a shift in attitudes towards childbearing across East Asia.

Conducted from June to September 2023, the survey highlights a consensus that the decision to have children should lie with women, moving away from traditional beliefs about societal obligations.

This shift comes as South Korea and its neighbors face a demographic challenge: a fertility rate at historic lows, despite government efforts to counter the decline. 

The survey showed that less than a third of adults in South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Vietnam view Childbearing as a societal obligation. Instead, a majority support personal choice. 

South Korea and Vietnam have the highest percentage of adults with traditional views (29% each), while Japan (13%) and Taiwan (16%) have the lowest.

Differences in opinion are pronounced among demographics. Older adults, especially those over 55, are more likely to hold traditional views, in contrast to younger generations. 

Gender and educational differences are evident, with men and those with less education more inclined toward viewing childbearing as a duty.

Religious beliefs also play a role. In South Korea, Buddhists (43%), Christians (33%), and non-affiliated (22%) differ in their views on childbearing obligations.

The survey context is a region with long-term low fertility rates, with no recovery expected in the next 50 years. These rates, well below the global replacement rate, pose challenges to population stability and economic growth.

In response, regional governments have introduced policies to encourage higher birth rates, including financial incentives and matchmaking events. 

While Japan encourages viewing childbearing positively, China and North Korea have emphasized its importance for societal stability.

The Pew Research Center’s findings indicate a complex mix of cultural, demographic, and economic factors influencing childbearing attitudes in East Asia. 

As opinions shift towards personal choice, the region’s strategy to address its fertility crisis may also need to adapt, balancing individual autonomy with demographic and economic needs.