Page 127 - IJPS-11-5

International Journal of
Population Studies Regional disparities and fertility rates

indicated that as the overall income level of the population the financial burden of child-rearing, it can simultaneously
rises, individuals tend to prioritize consumption and intensify socioeconomic disparities and enhance the
embrace individualistic values, leading them to favor utility of alternatives to childbirth, ultimately discouraging
personal self-fulfillment and cultural pursuits over higher fertility rates. Given these diverse perspectives, this
marriage and childbirth (Bertinelli & Black, 2004; Lee & study aims to clarify the impact of economic development
Hwang, 2020; Lesthaeghe & Surkyn, 1988). on fertility rates in Korea. By providing a comprehensive
Moreover, the intensification of a competitive analysis, it seeks to resolve the existing debates in this
atmosphere and social pressures, particularly in Korea, particular context.
while contributing to economic development by fostering 1.1.2. Regional disparity and fertility rates
innovation and productivity (Kim & Hlasny, 2024; Nickell,
1996; Porter, 1990), has further negatively affected fertility Another inadvertent consequence of economic development
rates in Korea (Joo & Lim, 2022; Kim, 2022; Ko et al., 2020; is the widening of regional economic disparities. As
Sohn, 2005). Life history strategy theory, from ecological economies grow, industrialization and urbanization tend
research, supports the idea that in competitive and to concentrate wealth and opportunities in major cities,
resource-scarce environments, species tend to prioritize often at the expense of rural and less-developed regions
the quality of offspring over quantity (Pianka, 1970; (Guo et al., 2018). Korea has experienced rapid economic
Reznick et al., 2002). Economic studies have revealed that growth since the 1960s due to industrialization; however,
in high-density and competitive societies, individuals regional disparities have also intensified (Heo & Ahn, 2008;
delay marriage and childbirth to enhance and sustain their Kim & Park, 2022). Manufacturing and service industries
competitive advantage (Firebaugh, 1982; Ko et al., 2020; have been disproportionately concentrated in Seoul and
Lutz et al., 2006; Sng et al., 2017). Higher competition other metropolitan areas, attracting investment and
and inequality levels increase the cost of investing in skilled labor while leaving many rural regions struggling
children’s social status, leading to lower fertility rates with economic stagnation (Park & Kim, 2022). In 2019,
(Shenk et al., 2016). Korea ranked second among OECD countries in terms
of regional disparities in gross regional domestic product
Conversely, some studies suggest that economic (GRDP) (Kim et al., 2022).
growth can positively influence fertility rates by fostering
optimism about future economic conditions (Kim & Cho, The expansion of regional disparity is closely linked to
2012). Notably, Doepke et al. (2023) highlighted that income and opportunity inequality (Jeong, 2021), which
the historically negative relationship between economic can discourage childbirth (Bhattacharyya, 1975; Castro
development and fertility has weakened in high-income Torres et al., 2022; Flegg, 1979; Guest & Swift, 2008). In
countries. Their findings indicated that factors such as addition, regional economic disparities often lead to the
improved compatibility between women’s careers and outmigration of younger populations to more economically
family life, access to affordable childcare, cooperative developed areas, further reducing the number of
partners, favorable social norms, and flexible labor markets individuals of reproductive age in less developed regions
have contributed to stabilizing or even increasing fertility and worsening demographic imbalances (Rees et al., 2012).
rates in these nations. This suggests a nuanced interaction Research analyzing the relationship between various
whereby economic prosperity, along with supportive factors, such as economic development and childbirth,
social structures, can mitigate the decline in fertility rates continues to be actively pursued. In addition, numerous
traditionally associated with economic development. studies have revealed spatial correlations or gaps in
Korea’s attainment of a population of 50 million and a regional fertility rates (Brée & Doignon, 2022; Campisi
GDP per capita of United States dollars 30,000 in 2018 et al., 2020; Jung et al., 2019; Kato, 2021; Kim & Jun, 2021;
exemplifies its advanced economic status. Consequently, it Lamonica et al., 2022; Lieming et al., 2022; Vitali & Billari,
can be posited that economic development may positively 2015). However, studies specifically examining the impact
influence fertility rates, suggesting that the observed of economic disparities on regional fertility rates remain
decline in the fertility rate may be attributable to other limited. The study by Kim et al. (2024) is one of the few
underlying factors. addressing this gap by analyzing the effects of economic
In summary, the impact of national and regional development and regional disparities on fertility rates
economic progress on the fertility rate yields contrasting in Korea. Using data from 229 municipal districts and
results depending on the particular studies. This divergence 16 metropolitan areas between 2010 and 2019, the study
in outcomes is attributable to the dual nature of economic finds that while economic development positively affects
development: while economic enhancement may alleviate fertility rates at the district level, widening regional

Volume 11 Issue 5 (2025) 121 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.8157