A Study on Job Stability and Policy Response to Low Fertility Rate in Korea

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the impact of job stability on childbirth. Only fragmentary variables on job have been analyzed hitherto in the study of the relationship between job and childbirth. Especially, there is insufficient research on childbirth in terms of job stability. In this study, the effects of job stability on childbirth intentions and its realization were analyzed. As a dependent variable, childbirth is defined as fertility intention, which indicates whether to give birth or not in the forseeable future, and realization of intention. Job stability is defined as stability and security of job and employment, and then independent variables are configured reflecting the characteristic of each definition. According to the result, stable job and income was revealed as important factors which have positive effect on fertility intention and its realization. Given stable jobs and stable income sources are inseparable, providing stable jobs can be one of the key measures to tackle declining birth rate. Based on the result, the study presents policy implications for resolving dual labor market, improving job and employment stability: conversion of non-regular workers to regular positions, and improving job and employment security: expanding employment insurance coverage.