State-sponsored dating has become a phenomenon in South Korea. Its fertility rate has fallen to an average of 0.75 children per woman, about a third of the figure needed to keep the population level stable.
City governments have launched matchmaking services and other incentives to boost the world’s lowest birthrate.
The government has expanded parental leave and increased cash payouts to newlyweds. In South Korea marriage is by and large considered the only route to having children. Fewer than 5% of births occur out of wedlock.
Saha-gu, a district in the second largest city of Busan, offers singles who get together at its events around $340 to spend on dates. Those who get married receive roughly $14,000 upfront, and are feted with housing subsidies and more cash to cover pregnancy-related expenses and international travel. No participant has claimed the prize for marriage.
Construction firm Booyoung Group pays its employees roughly $75,000 each time they have a baby. Yoido Full Gospel Church, one of the largest congregations in the world, gives its members $1,380 for every birth.
However, about three fifths of working South Koreans eschew marriage. Many say they don’t feel the need, and rising living costs are big disincentives, as are the punishingly long working hours in South Korea’s office culture.
Women face additional barriers in re-entering the workforce after childbirth.
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Typically, men are more eager to participate in government dating programs. Smaller counties have had to cancel their matchmaking events when not enough women applied.
A considerable amount of paperwork is needed to apply for such events.
Seoul tries to speed up the get-to-know-each-other phase by offering a bundle of tickets and restaurant vouchers to its participants.
[Photo: by Hans Zhong: https://www.pexels.com/photo/young-couple-strolling-at-night-in-shibuya-crossing-31366046/]