Context:
The 4th Basic Plan for Low Fertility and Aging Society (2021-2025) was developed in response to South Korea's complex demographic challenges. The country has one of the world's fastest-aging populations, with the proportion of individuals aged 65 and older expected to exceed 20 percent by 2025, officially making South Korea a super-aged society. Additionally, the birth rate has been declining for decades, with a total fertility rate of 0.78 in 2022, the lowest among OECD countries. The rapid aging of the population alongside a shrinking population of productive age has led to significant socio-economic challenges, including increased demand for elder care and strain on the national pension system.
This plan builds on three previous iterations (2005–2010, 2011–2015, and 2016–2020), which were developed to increase South Korea’s population. It reflects a shift from focusing on birth rates alone to addressing broader social, economic, and healthcare issues associated with low birth rates and aging. South Korea's unique societal structure, characterized by rapid industrialization and traditional family expectations, makes its aging policies particularly complex, requiring attention to family dynamics, caregiving responsibilities, and gender equality.
Plan Development:
The 4th Basic Plan was created through extensive collaboration among government agencies, academic experts, and civil society. The Presidential Committee on Low Birth Rates and Aging Society, established under the 2005 Framework Act on Low Birth Rate and Aging Society, led the development process. Over 130 experts from various fields participated in drafting the plan, with input gathered from regional discussions, public hearings, and surveys. Research underpinning the plan includes demographic projections from Statistics Korea, and socio-economic studies on labor markets, caregiving, and housing. Citizen participation was encouraged through regional forums, idea competitions, and targeted consultations with youth, older adults, and women’s organizations. Input from NGOs and academic institutions ensured that diverse voices were incorporated into the strategy.
Principles & Goals:
The 4th Basic Plan is guided by the themes of sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience, focusing on creating a society where all generations can thrive. It emphasizes cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, intergenerational solidarity, and regional equity. The articulated goals of the plan include promoting a balance between work and family life, ensuring economic security for older adults through robust social safety nets, expanding access to affordable and high-quality care services, and encouraging the active participation of older adults in society. The plan adopts a rights-based approach, emphasizing the dignity, autonomy, and well-being of individuals across all life stages. Key policy areas include creating age-friendly communities, improving access to lifelong education, enhancing housing support, and strengthening caregiving systems. The 4th Basic Plan recommends increasing the budget allocated to implementing age-related policies, including the plan’s own goals, from 62.2 trillion won in 2020 (USD 43 billion) to 83.4 trillion won by 2025 (USD 57 billion), representing an annual average increase of 5.9 percent.
Execution & Achievements:
The plan outlines a multi-pronged implementation strategy supported by government funding and inter-ministerial coordination. Specific initiatives include expanding public childcare facilities, introducing flexible work arrangements, and increasing pension coverage for older adults. Additionally, the plan proposes innovative housing solutions to support aging in place and community-based integrated care services. Metrics for progress include tracking the fertility rate, the employment rate of women and older adults, and the expansion of care services. These are periodically reviewed by the Presidential Committee and reported to the National Assembly. Since the 4th Basic Plan's publication, efforts have been made to integrate local government plans with the national strategy for broader implementation by developing a classification framework that promotes more effective resource allocations to local governments with lower budgets.
Current Status & References:
The plan is in the mid-phase of its implementation, with periodic evaluations highlighting areas of progress and improvement. Future publications will include progress reports and evaluations, with updates reflecting emerging challenges, such as those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Updates made in response to COVID-19 include additional support for healthcare workers, expanded home-based care options for older adults, and financial assistance to families affected by the pandemic.
For more information, interested parties can refer to the Presidential Committee on Low Birth Rates and Aging Society’s website or contact the committee directly through their listed communication channels. Regular progress reports and associated documents are available through government portals such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare's website.