South Korea: Effects of Living in the Same Region as Workplace on the Total Fertility Rate
South Korea: Effects of Living in the Same Region as Workplace on the Total Fertility Rate
A 2019 study (Effects of living in the same region as one’s workplace on the total fertility rate of working women in Korea by Yeon-Yong Kim, Hee-Jin Kang, Seongjun Ha, and Jong Heon Park) investigates the impact of working women's residence patterns relative to their workplace on total fertility rates in South Korea. Using detailed data from the National Health Information Database between 2011 and 2015, the authors shed light on how proximity between home and work influences childbirth decisions in the context of Korea's persistently low fertility.
Key findings:
From 2011 to 2015, the total fertility rate of working women was highest for those living in the same municipality as their workplace (1.200 in 2015), followed by those in the same province (1.083), and lowest for those in a different province (1.059).
After adjusting for age, income, workplace size, and other factors, women residing in the same municipality as their workplace had 21.6% higher odds of childbirth compared to those living in a different province. Those in the same province had 16.0% higher odds.
The positive association between fertility and living near one's workplace was consistent across all income levels (measured by insurance contribution quartiles).
Higher income, younger age, and working in smaller companies were also associated with an increased likelihood of childbirth among working women.
Background and motivation:
South Korea has experienced "lowest-low fertility" (below 1.3 children per woman) for the past 17 years, despite government efforts to encourage childbirth. Prior research points to economic factors, women's increased labor force participation, and strong traditional family values as key drivers of this trend.
As more women have entered the workforce, their residence patterns have also shifted. However, few studies have examined how the spatial relationship between women's homes and workplaces affects fertility in Korea. The authors hypothesize that greater distance between home and work may deter childbirth by exacerbating challenges around work-family balance.
Data and methods:
The study leverages the National Health Information Database, which contains eligibility and healthcare utilization data for the Korean population covered by national health insurance. The analysis focuses on working women aged 15-49 from 2011 to 2015.
Women's residence relative to their workplace was classified into three patterns: same municipality, same province, or different province. Total fertility rates were calculated for each residence pattern, and logistic regression was used to estimate the likelihood of childbirth, adjusting for individual and regional characteristics.
Discussion and implications:
The findings suggest that living near one's workplace is associated with higher fertility among working women in Korea, even after accounting for socioeconomic factors. The authors posit that this proximity effect operates by easing the balance between work and family responsibilities.
Notably, Korea has the longest average commuting times for both men and women across OECD countries. Women also spend substantial time on household care work. This combination of long work hours and commutes likely hinders the effectiveness of existing policies aimed at encouraging childbirth.
The study argues that supporting the proximity of working women's homes and workplaces should be a key consideration in Korea's efforts to raise fertility rates. This "pre-activation" approach would complement existing post-childbirth support measures. Integrating such concerns into housing policy could be particularly impactful.
While limited by the use of administrative districts rather than actual commuting distances, this study breaks new ground by quantifying the fertility effects of working women's residence patterns using comprehensive national data. Further research could incorporate distance measures and explore additional outcomes like birth timing and child health.
As Korea and other societies grapple with ultra-low fertility, these findings highlight the importance of considering the changing spatial context of women's labor force participation when designing policy interventions. Facilitating work-family balance through strategic housing and urban planning may prove critical to encouraging childbirth in the long run.