[Anchor]
This year, the cumulative number of newborns in Ulsan surpassed the number of deaths, returning to a natural population increase for the first time in 5 years. This is welcome news. Sustained support is needed to maintain this trend.
Reporter Lee Young-nam from UBC.
[Reporter]
In July, the number of newborns in Ulsan stood at 543, which was 20 more than the number of deaths.
This marks a natural population increase, where the number of births exceeds the number of deaths.
The annual cumulative population has also shifted to a natural increase since July, marking the first time in 5 years since 2021.
The birth rate is also rising, with Ulsan's total fertility rate for the second quarter of this year reaching 1.05, an increase compared to the same period last year.
This is interpreted as the result of strengthened childcare and nursing support, as well as housing support for newlywed couples.
However, local infrastructure for childbirth and childcare still falls short.
Due to a shortage of pediatric medical institutions, the local utilization rate stands at 87.8%, the second lowest among the seven major metropolitan cities.
In addition to strengthening care support policies to build a foundation for work-life balance, improvements in overall social conditions and awareness are also necessary.
[Interview: Lee Young-ran / Senior Research Fellow, Ulsan Welfare, Family & Social Service Institute: A culture where childbirth and parenting are shared within the family is needed, and local community support policies must continue to be strengthened so that this can happen....]
Ulsan City also plans to strengthen related policies, such as integrated care, after conducting a study on population trends.
(Video by Choi Hak-soon / UBC, Graphics by Song Jung-keun / UBC)
Lee Young-nam, UBC
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