South Korean Cultural Ecology - 1905 to 1990
Part 3: The Plight of the Farmers - Page 24

I. The Birth Rate and Causes

The birth rate began in 1950-55 at 0.7% primarily due to the Korean War and the resulting disruption, poverty and general chaos. The population decreased about 3 million due to war losses but gained about 2 million due to migration primarily from North Korea fleeing both the war and the general unhealthy political scene. The population grew steadily in the years following from two factors. The birth rate leaped upwards to above 2% for the next twenty years, and then tailed off as a result of more income, higher expectations of leisure, and then dropped to lower levels as the number of single women greatly increased due to their involvement in the cities working 11-12 hours a day, six days a week. Rural populations suffered as mates were scarce and the farmers became significantly older. The total population increased as health care became more available and the death rate and birth death rate dropped.