Comparative Study of Family Policy in East Asia: Korea, China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong China, Thailand and Vietnam
Title
Comparative Study of Family Policy in East Asia: Korea, China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong China, Thailand and Vietnam
Author(s)
Shin, Yoon-jeong
; Song, Minyoung
; Youngtae Cho
; Stuart Basten
Keyword
East Asia
; fertility rate
; family structure
; female employment
; family policy
Publication Year
2014
Publisher
OECD KOREA Policy Centre
한국보건사회연구원
Abstract
the purpose of this study is to analyze and compare low fertility issues of countries with relatively lower birth rates in the region such as Korea, China, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Vietnam. The study examines in depth details on these countries’ fertility rates, family and welfare policy structures and women’s participation in the work force to draw political and policy implications for government family policy. I hope that this study will provide a meaningful research basis to the government’s effort to implement effective policies that will contribute to achieving sustainable development and mutual growth in East Asia.
Table Of Contents
Contents
Summary 1
Chapter 1 Introduction 5 Paragraph 1. Study Background and Purpose 7 Paragraph 2. Study Content and Method 10
Chapter 2 Fertility and Changing Family Structure 15 Paragraph 1. Recent Trends in Overall Fertility Rates 17 Paragraph 2. Changing Patterns of Marriage 30 Paragraph 3. Changing Household Structure 36
Chapter 3 Labor Market Position of Females 41 Paragraph 1. Female Employment and Behavior of Labor 43 Paragraph 2. Family and Female Employment 53
Chapter 4 Family Policy of East Asian Countries 63 Paragraph 1. Family Cash Benefit 65 Paragraph 2. Child-related Leave Policies 78 Paragraph 3. Childcare and Pre-school Education 87
Chapter 5 Changing Population Structure and Future Implications 113 Paragraph 1. Changing Population Structure in East Asia 115 Paragraph 2. Economic Implications of Population Aging 128 Paragraph 3. Reform of China’s One Child Policy 136
Chapter 6 Current Issues in East Asia 139 Paragraph 1. Economic Transformation and Gender Issues of Labor Market in China 141 Paragraph 2. Women in Labour Market and Work Life Balance in Japan 146 Paragraph 3. Support for Singaporeans to Marry and Have Children 154 Paragraph 4. An Elasticity Analysis of Fertility Rebound in Hong Kong China 161 Paragraph 5. Low Fertility and Policy Agenda in Thailand 169 Paragraph 6. Fertility and Population Policies in Vietnam 176
Chapter 7 Conclusion 181 Paragraph 1. Implications of This Study 183 Paragraph 2. Future Challenges 187
Bibliography 191
Appendix 199 Appendix 1: Selected indicators of OECD Family database 200 Appendix 2: Data from the OECD KOREA Policy Centre-KIHASA Family database 2014 202