Nordic childcare policies and their implications for South Korea: A documentary analysis

Korea has experienced several decades of low to very low birth rates, contributing to an aging population and posing a threat to the nation’s economy. The government has unsuccessfully attempted to implement policies to develop and maintain childbirth and childcare that would mitigate the reduction of the productive workforce. Korean policy makers acknowledge the Nordic countries as the benchmark for the development and implementation of social welfare programs in this and other areas, but they have as yet been unable to achieve levels of success similar to these countries in reversing low fertility. Using documentary analysis, this study explores the nature and impact of childcare policies in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Korea to gain insights that can help optimize childcare policies in Korea. Based on Gilbert and Terrell’s social welfare policy analysis framework, which asks “who will benefit from this policy?,” “how will these benefits be delivered?,” and “how can necessary funding be accessed to provide benefits?”, the study examines and compares Nordic and Korean policy on childcare according to four main dimensions: (1) types of childcare policy, (2) target of support, (3) method of delivery, and (4) method of financial preparation. Based on this analysis, this study recommends that Korea adopt childcare policies that focus on defamiliarization, decommodification, gender integration, and a child-centered approach.