Group 1 - The Japanese government is implementing initiatives such as dating apps and matchmaking events to address a national "dating crisis," but these efforts may be exacerbating the problem for a generation plagued by self-doubt [1][2] - Tokyo invested 800 million yen (approximately 38.76 million RMB) in developing the AI dating app "Tokyo Match," which attracted over 20,000 registered users, yet only 32 couples married after 8 months [1] - A government survey revealed that 63.8% of unmarried individuals desire marriage but feel uncertain about finding partners, while 57.1% lack confidence, and 39.7% explicitly do not want to meet others [2] Group 2 - Japan's fertility rate reached a historic low of 1.15 in 2024, prompting the government to invest public funds in the marriage market, but many young people are unresponsive to these initiatives [2] - The government is also promoting a "5-year pre-pregnancy care plan" aimed at training 50,000 "pre-pregnancy supporters," which has faced criticism for being a misallocation of taxpayer money [2] - Structural issues, such as the unequal distribution of household responsibilities and the traditional "male breadwinner, female homemaker" model, hinder women's participation in the workforce and contribute to declining birth rates [3]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the declining birth rates in Japan, South Korea, and globally, highlighting the economic and social factors contributing to this trend, and suggests measures to create a more supportive environment for families [1][2][4]. Group 1: Declining Birth Rates - Japan's newborns in 2024 are projected to be approximately 686,000, a decrease of 41,200 from 2023, marking the first time since 1899 that the number falls below 700,000, 14 years earlier than expected [1] - South Korea has declared a "population emergency" due to its own declining birth rates, reflecting a broader trend across many countries [2] - The UNFPA reports that the global average fertility rate has dropped from 3.31 children per woman in 1990 to 2.3 in 2024, with 55% of countries below the replacement level of 2.1 children [2] Group 2: Economic Factors Influencing Birth Rates - Economic constraints are a significant factor in declining birth rates, with 39% of surveyed individuals citing "financial limitations" as the primary reason for having fewer children than desired [5] - In South Korea, 58% of respondents identified financial constraints as a key reason for their reluctance to have more children [5] - Other economic concerns include job security (21%), housing issues (19%), and lack of quality childcare services (12%) [5] Group 3: Recommendations for Supporting Families - The report emphasizes the need to alleviate economic burdens to enhance fertility intentions, suggesting measures such as paid parental leave, affordable healthcare, and supportive partnerships [7] - Sweden's new law allowing grandparents to receive compensation for childcare is highlighted as an innovative approach to reduce the burden on young parents [7] - The article advocates for equitable parental leave policies to encourage shared parenting responsibilities, which can improve women's workforce participation and men's involvement in childcare [7] Group 4: Government Initiatives - Japan's government aims to increase the male parental leave rate from 30.1% in 2023 to 50% by 2025 and potentially 80% by 2030, with new benefits for immediate paternity leave [8] - South Korea has seen positive changes in birth rates due to government policies such as extended leave, tax reductions, and housing support, with a notable increase in monthly births for nine consecutive months [9] - The report calls for governments to transform into "fertility enablers" to create an environment where individuals can realize their family planning desires [9]

Core Viewpoint - The declining birth rates globally are primarily influenced by economic barriers and gender discrimination, rather than a lack of desire to have children [1][2]. Group 1: Economic Factors - A significant portion of the population, nearly 39%, cites economic difficulties as a reason for not achieving their desired family size, with South Korea reporting 58% [2]. - High costs of raising children, unstable jobs, expensive housing, and concerns about global issues are major deterrents to family planning [1]. Group 2: Gender Disparities - Women perceive unequal household labor distribution nearly twice as often as men, indicating a gender imbalance in domestic responsibilities [2]. - Both genders express that concerns about the future limit their family size, highlighting the impact of societal expectations and economic stability on reproductive choices [2]. Group 3: Policy Implications - Some governments, particularly in the U.S. and Hungary, have misinterpreted the decline in birth rates as a refusal to have children, leading to coercive policies that may not effectively address the issue [2]. - The report emphasizes that limiting reproductive choices can lead to a negative response from the population, suggesting that expanding genuine choices is essential for addressing the birth rate crisis [2]. Group 4: Global Perspective - The United Nations' report includes data from various countries, representing one-third of the global population, indicating a widespread concern about declining birth rates [1]. - The report aims to encourage countries to avoid panic-driven policies that may exacerbate the situation, advocating for a more informed approach to demographic challenges [3].