Foreword (May 2025, Health and Welfare Policy Forum)

Abstract

Korea’s child population is declining rapidly. In an era marked by low birth rates, one of the most fundamental ways to address the challenge of a declining child population may be through universal welfare policies and proactive interventions that improve the quality of life for children. In this context, the Comprehensive Survey on Children (CSC), conducted every three years as mandated in Article 11 of the Child Welfare Act, provides essential data for developing child welfare policies. The survey captures a broad spectrum of information on children’s living conditions, including their growing environments, linguistic and cognitive development, emotional and physical health, safety, and experiences of abuse. These findings help shape national frameworks, such as master plans and action strategies. In this month’s Health and Welfare Forum, we explore various aspects of children’s living conditions as revealed by the 2023 CSC. Our focus is on evaluating, through key indicators, the state of children’s mental health, development, education, and safety, and offering recommendation for policy improvements. We hope this May issue serves as a foundation for efforts to create a safer, healthier environment for all children.