《日本经济新闻》 7 月 27 日文章，原题：日本的糟糕药方，政府推动的婚介活动难以解决日本的生育危 机 日本正在开出爱情的"糟糕药方"：政府提供的约会应用、速配相亲活动和婚姻研讨会，旨在解决全 国性的"恋爱危机"。然而，这些由纳税人资助的"爱情处方"或许正让问题变得更糟——为一代被自我怀 疑困住的年轻人提供的解决方案，反而加剧了他们的困境。东京曾斥资8亿日元（约合3876万元人民 币）开发AI婚恋App"东京缘结"。8个月后，虽然注册用户达2万多人，但真正走进婚姻的仅有32对。全 国范围内类似的"官方相亲活动"，也时常呈现出一种令人尴尬的局面。一位参与者说，一场由地方政府 组织的联谊上，现场的政府"红娘"人数甚至远远超过参与的单身男女。 然而，这场危机并非仅关乎个人"不婚不育"，而是社会整体丧失了支撑育儿的能力。日本生育研究专家 天野馨南子说，双职工家庭中仍有34%没有孩子，比例远高于欧美社会。而传统"男主外女主内"的单收 入家庭，反而孩子更少。这从侧面说明：限制女性参与职场，只会适得其反。真正的问题在于：女性虽 然越来越多地走出家庭，却依然背负大部分家务育儿压力。据人口与社会保障研究所数据，工作日女性 承 ...

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].