Analysis on Association between Housing and Fertility

Abstract

It is well known that the trends of lowest low fertility in Korea has been attributable to many factors related to the social structure which has been long built under the rapid socio-economic development. Among those factors the housing related problems has been suspected to cause the delay in marriage and reduction in fertility. In this context, this study aimed at identifying how and what extent the housing conditions such as housing occupancy, cost, density, etc. are related to timing of marriage and level of fertility and suggesting the policy options for the future. The main findings and policy implications can be made as follows; Firstly, apartment housing has a negative impact on fertility and it needs to cut interest rates on loan for house purchase and rental to meet the demands of those living in apartment. Secondly, housing on a deposit or monthly rental basis has a negative impact on fertility and hence it needs to provide small apartments and rental residences. Thirdly, the duration of residency in a house has a positive impact on fertility through increasing housing security and hence it needs to operate the system to restrain the exorbitant increase in housing deposit and monthly rental costs. Fourthly, when small apartments and rental residences are provided, the scale and structure of houses needs to be appropriate for number and ages of children and the facilitation of movement needs to be also provided according to increase in the number of children and children's growth. Those results from this study are expected to expediate the housing policies to meet the demands of those who are going to have births and rearing children and thereby to increase the fertility rate. It can be suggested for the researches that the approach for the single persons and conducting the longitudinal survey focused on the theme relating housing to marriage and fertility.