Seoul to Offer Financial Aid for Reversal of Vasectomies, Tubectomies to Tackle Declining Birthrates
In a proactive move to address the declining birthrates, the city of Seoul has announced plans to provide financial support to residents seeking to reverse vasectomies or tubectomies. This initiative comes amidst growing concerns over the long-term vitality of the South Korean capital, which is grappling with a dwindling population.
According to a statement released by the city on Tuesday, Seoul will offer each citizen up to 1 million won ($734) to alleviate the financial burden associated with the medical procedures for couples aspiring to have children. A dedicated fund of 100 million won has been earmarked for this pioneering program, marking a significant step forward in Seoul’s efforts to tackle its demographic challenges. This initiative is part of a broader 1.5 trillion won supplementary budget proposal submitted by authorities to the city parliament.
South Korea currently holds the unenviable position of having the world’s lowest fertility rate, standing at a mere 0.72. The situation is particularly dire in Seoul, where every cohort of 100 women is estimated to produce only 55 babies over their lifetimes, representing the lowest fertility rate among all major cities. In a separate announcement, the national statistical office projected on Tuesday that Seoul’s population could plummet to 7.9 million by 2052, down from 9.4 million in 2022.
In response to the demographic crisis, city authorities have been rolling out various measures to support fertility treatments, including financial assistance for egg freezing and infertility treatments. Mayor Oh Se-hoon, speaking earlier this year to Bloomberg TV, affirmed the city’s commitment to leveraging all available policies to bolster population growth, including the launch of a matchmaking program.
Several factors have been identified as contributing to the reluctance among South Koreans to have children, including the high cost of living and a dearth of affordable housing. President Yoon Suk Yeol recently announced plans to establish a new ministry dedicated to addressing the fertility crisis, underscoring the government’s recognition of the urgency of the situation.
It’s worth noting that South Korea’s approach to family planning has evolved over the years. While vasectomies were once encouraged during the 1970s to 1980s as a means of population control, the current focus is squarely on reversing this trend to counteract the demographic challenges facing the nation.
