The Korea Local Administration Review

The purpose of this study was to investigate the activation level of childbirthpolicies by local governments and their effect on birthrates. The data oncurrent status of childbirth policies were collected through a national survey onlocal government employees who were in charge of childbirth policies in localgovernments except for Jeju-do. Data Base of KOSIS(Korean StatisticalInformation Services) were used for childbirth rate and socioeconomic factorson local governments in 2009. Major findings included that healthcare support,information supply, child care support policies have been actively promoted.However, policies on childbirth-friendly social atmosphere and manpower/supplies support have been poorly activated implying a need to promotebalanced policies to encourage childbirth. The activation level of the policieswere not differ by local governments’ socio-economic characteristics. Amultiple regression analysis on birthrate in 2009 revealed that the onlysignificant positive effect of economic support policy on birth rate suggesting alimited effect of the policies on the birthrate. Among the economic supportpolicies, a significantly positive effect was detected in childbirth grant policyonly. Based on these results, a need for more balanced childbirth polices andfor reconstruction of current policy responses to encourage childbirth weresuggested.
□ Keywords: Local Governments, Childbirth Policies, Birthrate